Early rains take big load off power utilities in Punjab, Haryana

However, the utilities have got some relief due to drop in demand in the peak power consumption

The excess and untimely monsoon may have caused disaster in the hill states and put power generation and distribution in jeopardy. But the power utilities in Punjab and Haryana have got some relief due to the drop in demand in the peak power consumption.

Demand rises manifold in the two states due to the paddy sowing season as farmers make extensive use of tubewells to irrigate their fields.

The senior officials in the Punjab Power Corporation said the consumption in the state was 1,700 lakh units (about 8,000 Mw) from 1,800 lakh units earlier (before monsoon).

An official in the state power corporation said, "The pre-monsoon showers have not only provided relief to the farmers and other consumers, but also to the power corporation. The power consumption in the state is currently 1,700 lakh units compared to 1,800 lakh units a week before. The reeducation in demand has helped us to avoid scheduled power cuts in the state. As far farmers are concerned, we had made all arrangement for the Paddy Cultivation in the state, which commenced from June 10. The government has made special efforts to ensure non stop 8 hour electricity supply to the farmers."

He added Rs 1,600 crore had been spent to purchase the electricity for the paddy season.

He said farmers are getting electricity supply for 8 hours daily from June 10. He said that out of the total procurement of power, 1,950-Mw electricity is being purchased for shorter time period whereas 3350 MW electricity would be procured for longer time period.

According to officials, the state has managed to generate 3,600 Mw electricity from all its resources whereas there is demand of 8900 MW electricity during the current season of cultivation of paddy, so there is huge shortfall.

Therefore, in order to meet the demand, the state has purchased power worth Rs 1,600 crore. Out of the total procurement of power, 1,950 Mw electricity is being purchased for shorter time period whereas 3350 MW electricity would be procured for longer time period.

The sudden decline in demand for power has also helped the Haryana Power utilities.

The demand remained close to 940 lakh units which is substantially lower than the demand expected in this season.

Sources in the Haryana Power utilities apprised that the demand after June 15 was likely to increase to 1700 lakh units.

The power genetaion plants are running at below capacity.

The fall in temperature due to rain has effected demand from urban consumers too.