Himachal powers Haryana

Himachal Pradesh has started selling excess hydro electricity to energy-starved neighbouring Haryana since Monday. It is already selling to Delhi and will soon offer to Punjab as well.

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) produces 21.5 million units (mu) of power every day. After consuming 17 mu, it is left with 4.5 mu spare power, which the board is selling at competitive rates to neighbouring states.

“The HPSEB is already selling 1.5 mu to Delhi since May 1. From June 1, we started selling 1 mu to Haryana. Punjab is scheduled to get 2 mu from June 11,” Sunil Grover, director - power regulation, HPSEB told Business Standard.

The generation of electricity shoots up in all the hydro electric projects fed by Himalayan rivers in Himachal due to the rapid melting of snow in the higher reaches during summer. “The power generation is at its peak from June 15 to Sept 15,” Grover said.

This, however, declines in winter when water sources in the higher reaches freeze and the state has to depend on neighbouring states to keep warm. On the other hand, its demand goes down in the pleasant summer months while it goes up in neighbouring states.

HPSEB sells surplus power to neighbouring states on a ‘banking’ arrangement according to which it receives electricity in return from these states in winter.