In a remarkable feat, Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Thursday announced that the state has achieved its all-time highest power demand of 3563 lakh units (LUs) in a single day on June 26, surpassing the previous record of 3427 LUs set on September 9, 2023.
The Minister, in a press communiqué, disclosed that Punjab also met its highest-ever peak demand of 15,933 MW on June 19, breaking the previous peak of 15,325 MW recorded on June 23, 2023. This unprecedented surge in power demand reflects the growing energy needs of the state during the intense summer season.
“The power demand has been persistently high this summer, and Punjab has successfully met 28 percent more power demand in June 2024 compared to the same period last year, supplying 7464 million units (MUs) till June 26, 2024, against 5853 MUs till June 26, 2023,” he said.
He further added that in May 2024, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) supplied 7231 MUs, marking a 37 percent increase from the 5270 MUs supplied in May 2023.
Highlighting the efficiency and dedication of the Power Department, the Minister emphasized that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Government has met the highest-ever demand for electricity without imposing any power cuts on domestic, commercial, or industrial consumers. “Maximum Agricultural Pump (AP) supply is being provided to agricultural consumers in the state, ensuring their needs are met during this crucial period,” he said.
A day after PSPCL recorded its highest-ever power supply and peak demand on Wednesday, the State experienced a massive dip in power demand by around 4,000 MW due to rain and thunderstorms. Early Thursday morning, power demand, which was around 15,000 MW at 3 am, dropped to 11,000 MW by 9 am as rain hit parts of Punjab, including Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Nawanshahr, and Hoshiarpur.
Despite this fluctuation, the PSPCL maintained a steady supply, with Punjab “under-drawing” power from the northern grid at just 1,600 MW at one point, significantly lower than the usual 9,000-10,000 MW during this time of year.
Notably, this year saw the first instance of power shortage on Tuesday when the State faced a deficit of around 320 lakh units, leading to the purchase of 835 LUs at a cost of Rs 48 crore through the power exchange.
The State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) played a crucial role in managing this demand, ensuring stability and reliability in the power system. Amid record-breaking demand, all thermal power plants, including those owned by private companies, ensured a constant supply of power, particularly crucial during the paddy sowing season. On Wednesday, 6,100 MW of power was supplied from within the State, while 9,700 MW was drawn from the national grid.
Regarding coal stock, officials confirmed that the Lehra Mohabbat thermal plant has enough coal to last 20 days, while Ropar and Goindwal thermal plants have stocks for 15 days each. Among private plants, Rajpura has coal for 26 days, and Talwandi Sabo's stock will last for just four days.
