Punjab Power Crisis Deepens as Coal Shortage Triggers Power Cuts

September 6, 2026

Jalandhar, Punjab: Power cuts have increased in Punjab over the past three days. The situation remains concerning amid the power crisis. State Power Minister Tarnpreet Singh Saund also released a video regarding the issue. The Power Minister said that due to a shortage of coal across India, the state is being forced to impose cuts in the domestic and industrial sectors.

Around 63 GW of thermal power plant capacity across the country has been directly affected by the coal shortage, while most private power plants have only three to four days of coal stock left, forcing them to operate at half capacity.

The Power Minister, while giving details of Punjab’s major private thermal power plants, said that Nabha Power Limited (Rajpura) and Talwandi Sabo Power Plant (Mansa) are completely dependent on coal supplied by the Central government. Due to inadequate coal supply from the Centre, both major plants are currently able to generate electricity at only half their capacity. However, providing some relief, he clarified that thermal power plants for which the Punjab government itself is supplying coal still have around 10 days of stock.

Power Minister Targets Centre Over Electricity Crisis

Amid the deepening power crisis in Punjab, Power Minister Tarnpreet Singh Saund has launched a direct attack on the Central government. He demanded immediate intervention from the Centre and urged it to break its silence. The minister said the Centre must explain to the people of the country and Punjab how long it will take to overcome the national coal shortage, so that uninterrupted power supply can once again be ensured to the general public and industries across the states.

Electricity Generation Falls by 1,500 MW

Power Minister Tarnpreet Singh said that the electricity crisis across Punjab has become more serious due to the coal shortage at the national level, resulting in a decline of up to 1,500 MW in power generation in the state. The minister said this is a very serious issue affecting the entire country.

The Central government should break its silence on the issue and clearly tell the people of the country how long it will take to overcome the coal shortage, so that uninterrupted power supply can be provided to the general public and industries in Punjab.

The Power Minister said the Central government should take the issue seriously and immediately take concrete and appropriate steps to address the coal shortage. The coal crisis should be resolved at the earliest to ensure uninterrupted power supply.