With the rise in day temperature the power demand in April has risen by 8.5 percent to 8100 MW against last year’s maximum demand of 7491 MW in April. The power supply in the first ten days of April has also increased by 11 percent to 13700 million units against last year’s supply of 12300 million units, an increase of 1400 MU. Punjab has seen a consistent rise in the demand for power. According to an estimate, the peak demand for electricity is said to increase by another 1000 MW and may touch 16,300-MW mark this summer. The maximum power demand in the last financial year was 15325 MW. The state has its own thermal generation capacity of 2300 MW, Hydro capacity of 1015 MW. There are two private generators with 3300 MW, share in BBMB 1140 MW, share in central sector projects 4128 MW. The annual maintenance of one unit each at Ropar and Lehra Mohabbat was completed in March 2024. The PSPCL makes banking arrangements up to 3000 MW during June to September to meet the power demand from Himachal, J and K, Uttrakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana. In June the PSPCL drew 931 MU, followed by 1510 MU, 2319MU, and 1698 MU in the next three months of July to September. The total banking of power in four months is 6419 MU. Short term power purchases during the coming paddy season will be around 1990 MU. The maximum short term purchase will be in August 2024 around 1000 MU. With sufficient coal stock in state owned three thermal plants, the thermal generation can be expected to be above 70 percent PLF. Rajpura thermal has normally good coal stock and that may not be the case with Talwandi Sabo thermal. The PSPCL seems to be better placed to meet the electricity requirement of the state during the coming paddy season. The PSPCL will be getting additional power from Goindwal thermal due to increased PLF and sufficient coal stock. The PSPCL is hopeful that all power consumers in the state will be provided continued, uninterrupted and required power supply during the season, which is likely to witness a surge in demand. Peak power demand in the country is estimated to rise by seven per cent year-on-year to 260 GW this summer. The peak power demand during the summer of 2023 touched 243 GW.