Despite holiday, power demand in Punjab scales record high of 16,836 MW

Senior PSPCL officials said the lack of pre-monsoon rain showers is putting all the pressure on the groundwater. Lakhs of tubewells are continuously running for at least six-eight hours daily to extract groundwater as the paddy transplanting season is at its peak, they added. Punjab grows the water-guzzling crop over 3 million hectares every year.

At the time of the record demand, PSPCL’s own thermal power generation was 2,020 MW, and private thermal power generation was 3,192 MW. PSPCL’s hydropower generation was 950 MW and solar generation was 395 MW.

On Tuesday, the electricity demand soared to a record-breaking 16,249 MW, surpassing the previous year’s peak of 16,089 MW, recorded on June 29.

However, if the current weather pattern persists, the maximum power demand in the state could potentially exceed 17,000 MW in the coming days. PSPCL claims it is prepared to take additional measures, including buying more power and optimising local generation.

The drawing limit from the northern grid is 10,400 MW and its maximum power availability may be around 6,600 MW under ideal conditions.

On Tuesday, PSPCL supplied 3,383 lakh units with a maximum demand of 16,249 MW. On Monday PSPCL supplied 3,295 lakh units with a maximum demand of around 15,640 MW.

With the return of the summer heatwave after an unusually cool summer in early June, the temperature is touching 44 degrees Celsius in most parts of Punjab, with the highest temperature recorded at Bathinda, at 47.6 degrees Celsius. The power demand has thus started rising sharply over the last three days.

The coal stock at the thermal plants in the public and private sectors is sufficient. Lehra Mohabbat has 21 days’ stocks, Ropar 34 days’ stock, and Goindwal 28 days’ stock. In the private sector, Rajpura has 31 days’ stock and Talwandi Sabo 23 days’ stock.

The water level in the Bhakra dam is 1,555.4 ft, which is 28 ft lower than last year’s level of 1,584.2 ft. At Ranjit Sagar, the water level is 506.9 m, compared to 507.20 m on the corresponding day last year.

IMD warning for Punjab and Haryana

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning regarding the continuation of heatwave to severe heatwave conditions across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh from June 11 to 14.

Maximum temperatures in the southern and western parts of Haryana have ranged between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius, with Sirsa recording the highest temperature–46.2 degrees Celsius. Northern regions of Haryana, including Chandigarh, saw slightly lower but still intense temperatures ranging from 44 to 45 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, the situation is even more severe. Southern and western parts of the state have recorded scorching temperatures between 46 and 48 degrees Celsius, with Bhatinda registering the highest at a blistering 47.6 degrees Celsius. Northern and eastern regions of the state have experienced maximum temperatures between 44 and 46 degrees Celsius.

The IMD forecasts that these extreme conditions are likely to persist over the next three days. Isolated pockets in the southwestern districts of both Punjab and Haryana are expected to experience severe heatwave conditions. Temperatures are likely to remain in the 46-48 degrees Celsius range in the southern and southwestern regions, while northern and eastern areas, including Chandigarh, may continue to see temperatures around 44-46 degrees Celsius.

There is no significant change expected in maximum temperatures until June 14, after which a slight decline of 2-4 degrees Celsius may occur.

Authorities have urged residents to take necessary precautions, stay hydrated, and avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours.