Himachal faces frequent power cuts; industry affected

Power cuts, unheard of in Himachal Pradesh, have been plaguing the state this week due to a short supply from the northern grid. The state is getting only 14 million units against the demand of 18.5 million units.

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) has started 25 per cent power cuts across the entire state as the state isn't getting the required power from the northern grid. The power cuts are at least 45 minutes and more.

Sources said the northern grid was facing acute power mainly due to the shutting down of the 2000-Mw power station in Uttar Pradesh and the 1200-Mw Suratgarh thermal power station in Rajasthan among three other power projects.

The power shortage is hitting the popular tourism trade along with the booming industry in the state.

The state capital Shimla awoke to a freezing morning for the second consecutive Tuesday due without electricity.

The entire hill state achieved 100 per cent electrification almost two decades ago. Since then it had been getting uninterrupted power supply, including in the countryside.

Last week, the state government also requested the Chhattisgarh government help tide over the power shortage crisis.

The situation is likely to get better in the next few days, officials said.