Power demand shoots up in Punjab as mercury soars

With mercury soaring in northern region, the demand for electricity in Punjab shot up by 500 MW to 6,000 MW in last two weeks.
"The demand for power has shot up by 500 MW to 6,000 MW in last 10-15 days in the state (Punjab) in the wake of rising temperatures," an official of state-owned Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) said today.
The PSPCL is capable of meeting the growing demand for energy in view of soaring temperatures, he said.
"Demand for power is growing day by day and we can meet the state's power requirement," the official said.

Meanwhile, several places in Punjab including Mohali have been experiencing power outages even as PSPCL officials claimed there has no power cut in any part of the state.
"We have not imposed any power cut in the state. We have surplus power. Power shutdown may be because of repair and maintenance work going on at some places," he said.

Maximum temperature in most parts of the state is hovering around 37 to 38 degrees Celsius.
PSPCL is currently generating 1,000 MW out of its own 2,640 MW of thermal power capacity. "We can increase power generation as and when the demand grows," he further said.

Punjab has installed power capacity of about 11,000 MW, which includes PSPCL' thermal capacity of 2,640 MW, 1,000 MW of hydro power, BBMB share 1,161 MW, net of import and export, share from central sector 3,610 MW, private power producers 2,060 MW and co-generation 583 MW.