As the summer heatwave drives electricity consumption to record highs, the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) on Monday sounded an alarm about potential power outages. In a bid to avert widespread disruptions, the AIPEF has urgently recommended a series of measures, including altering office hours to 7 am to 2 pm, mandating the closure of commercial establishments, malls, and shops by 7 pm, and imposing peak load restrictions.

The Federation, amidst impending power crisis due to an intense heatwave and the onset of paddy sowing season, has called on the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to implement immediate measures to avert widespread grid disturbances. In a detailed letter to CM Mann, AIPEF chairman Shailendra Dubey outlined a series of urgent steps needed to stabilize the state’s power supply.

Dubey emphasized the necessity of reviewing the state’s free power policy, adjusting office hours, setting earlier closing times for commercial establishments, and delaying the sowing of paddy. “Failure to act swiftly could result in severe grid disturbances, potentially plunging the State into darkness,” Dubey warned.

The AIPEF’s letter highlighted the critical power situation in Punjab, exacerbated by a 43 percent increase in power consumption between June 1 and 15 compared to the same period the previous year. The maximum demand has surged from 11,309 MW in June 2023 to 15,775 MW in June 2024. With additional agricultural load expected by the end of June due to paddy cultivation, the situation could become unmanageable, AIPEF cautioned.

Proposed ‘Urgent’ Measures

Among urgent steps proposed, the Federation suggested review of the government's free power policy, adjusting office timings, early closure of commercial establishments, imposing peak load restrictions, delaying paddy sowing, and addressing the crucial issue of power theft.

The AIPEF suggested that the current policy of providing 300 units of free power should be re-evaluated, as it significantly drains the public exchequer and drives up power demand. The Federation also recommended changing office hours to 7 am to 2 pm, a strategy previously implemented the previous year but later reverted in July.

AIPEF also urged that all commercial establishments, including malls and shops, should close by 7 pm to reduce evening peak load. Besides, it suggested imposing peak load restrictions on industry to manage the demand more effectively during critical periods.

The sowing of paddy in remaining areas of Punjab should be delayed to June 25, suggested AIPEF, while also advocating the banning of water-intensive paddy varieties like PUSA 44, and promoting varieties like PR126 and Basmati, which mature in 90 days. “No one should be allowed to violate the restrictions,” it emphasized.

The Federation also recommended that power theft be classified as an offense under the National Security Act (NSA) to deter illegal consumption.

Praising the Chief Minister for his efficiency and pro-public stance, Dubey expressed confidence that he would lead these initiatives to control power consumption. The AIPEF also called for the Union Power Minister’s intervention to allocate an additional 1,000 MW from the central pool on a priority basis.

Impact on Agriculture and Power Supply

The extreme summer conditions, coupled with ongoing paddy transplantation, have pushed power demand to unprecedented levels. Since June 11, uninterrupted canal water has been supplied to farmers in several districts, triggering a hike in power demand, which has consistently touched 15,500 MW. A senior official from Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) warned that any further increase by another 1,200 MW could lead to grid failure.

“The state’s power demand is constantly touching 15,500 MW from the past three days — an all-time high in Punjab’s history. Any more increase by another 1,200 MW could lead to grid failure,” said a PSPCL official.

Punjab Agriculture Department reported that the State had 31.93 lakh hectares under rice cultivation in 2023, including 5.87 lakh hectares of Basmati. With the peak demand for power expected to exceed 16,500 MW by the end of June, PSPCL officials anticipate a significant challenge in maintaining a stable supply.

AIPEF’s Suggestions

·         Review of Free Power Policy

·         Adjusting Office Timings

·         Early Closure of Commercial Establishments

·         Peak Load Restrictions

·         Delay in Paddy Sowing

·         Addressing Power Theft