Punjab power demand surges as paddy transplantation season begins

Patiala: Punjab's electricity demand witnessed an upward trajectory as the paddy transplantation season gained momentum, with the state's peak power demand hovering between 11,000 MW to 12,000 MW mark by the Tuesday (June 2), placing significant pressure on the state's distribution infrastructure.The maximum power demand was 10,545 MW on Monday (June1), whereas it stood at 8,904 MW on May 31. Last year, the maximum demand on the corresponding day hovered at 10,500 MW. On Monday, the state supplied 2,123 LU from all its sources, including central sector purchases, bilateral banking, and Punjab IPPs.To meet this surging load, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) ramped up its efforts, drawing over 7,300 MW from central sector projects and other arrangements to ensure the mandated eight-hour power supply to agricultural pumpsets. The maximum demand recorded on Tuesday evening surpassed 11,400 MW, reflecting the seasonal stress on the grid as irrigation needs peaked. Power experts claimed that demand witnessed a rise on Monday and Tuesday after recording a dip following recent rainfall across region. With an internal generation capacity of approximately 6,500 MW, the utility remained heavily reliant on external sources, including the central sector and power banking mechanisms to bridge the gap.By Tuesday evening, the state's gross generation, including its own thermal and hydro generation and power from Punjab IPPs, stood at 4874 MW. PSPCL officials claimed that by next week, the power demand is expected to hover between 14,000-15,000 MW with the rise in paddy transplantation during season. The state sector power plants were running at reduced load on Tuesday, whereas one unit of Ropar power plant was expected to revive operations on June 5 since after its shutdown in March this year due to overhauling.The state's 13.94 lakh tubewells drove the increased demand during paddy season each year, as farmers worked to meet transplantation schedules across over 30 lakh hectares. Coal reserves at thermal plants remained at comfortable levels, ensuring that generation units had a steady supply to support the peak demand period. According to the latest data, coal stocks at state-owned plants provided a buffer, with GHTP and Lehra Mohabbat holding enough coal stock for approximately 26 days of operation. GGSSTP, Ropar had coal stocks sufficient for approximately 34 days of operation. GATP had 25 days of coal stock, whereas Punjab IPPs had 20 days and 25 days of coal stock at NPL and TSPL, respectively.Power sector experts anticipated that demand could reach as high as 18,000 MW as the season progressed, particularly during the second fortnight of June, when all agricultural feeders were expected to be fully operational. To manage irrigation demand and facilitate timely harvesting, the Punjab govt implemented a staggered paddy transplantation schedule for this kharif season, dividing the state into three phases. The first phase, which commenced on June 1, covered the districts of Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ropar, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Hoshiarpur. The second phase was scheduled to begin on June 5, encompassing the Malwa belt districts of Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Muktsar, and Fazilka. The final phase started on June 9, covering Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. MSID: 131465619 413 |