Chandigarh: Scorching heat and the paddy season increased the electricity demand in Punjab. As the temperature in Punjab is increasing, the demand for electricity has also started increasing. While the situation in Punjab is such that only three or four days of coal is left at the thermal power plants.
In the state of Punjab power consumption has gone up by 43 percent between fifteen days i.e. from June1st to 15, 2024. As compare to previous year in same period electricity demand had gone up by 11309 MW but now in current season demand crossed the previous barriers.
The demand for electricity has also broken previous records. The demand for electricity has reached 15963 MW. Which is a new record. However, there has never been so much demand for electricity till now.
Power com has made arrangements for 16 thousand MW of electricity. Due to the extreme heat, farmers are still avoiding planting paddy. But after June 20, this work will pick up pace. In such a situation, the demand for electricity will increase further.
Power crises in many areas
However, due to the increased demand for electricity, people are facing power crisis in many areas. Unannounced power cuts are being observed in many areas. However, the government claims that farmers will be provided electricity for eight hours without any interruption.
Shortage of coal in thermal plants
Sources have revealed that due to the increase in demand for electricity, the demand for coal in thermal plants has also started increasing. Talwandi Sabo thermal plant with a capacity of 1980 MW has coal left for three days at the moment. While Ropar thermal plant has coal left for 13 days.
Similarly, Goindbal has 21 days of stock, Lehra Mohabbat has 22 days of stock and Rajpura has 23 days of stock. However, CM Bhagwant Mann had earlier held a meeting with Power com officials in Chandigarh regarding this matter. In which all the points were discussed. It was also claimed that people would not have to face any problem.