Taking into account the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) prediction of a weak monsoon ahead, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to the Union Power Minister RK Singh seeking allocation of more power for the state to protect the paddy cultivation “in the national interest of food security”.
Mann has sought up to 1000 mega watt (MW) of power from the central sector generating stations for four months from June 15. He pointed out that even as the power allocation from unallocated quota has been increased by around 10 to 30 per cent from May to September this year, which comes to an additional 460 MW, the state needs 1000 MW more.
Flagging the issue of state’s power requirements of the state on account of the upcoming paddy season, the Chief Minister said that in order to provide uninterrupted power supply to the state’s farmers, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is continuously keeping a watch over the power availability on the PUShP portal. “However, it has been observed that as of now, the availability of power on the portal is uncertain, for a shorter span and on a day-to-day basis only,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that as the demand of electricity cannot be reliably met through the collective transaction segment of power exchange, the state is in definite need of firm allocation of Round The Clock (RTC) power of 1000 MW for the period from June 15 to October 15.
“This requirement of additional power is further necessitated due to the recent IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) prediction of low monsoon rainfall in North-Western India, including Punjab…In the national interest of food security, the cultivation of paddy crops must be ensured in a smooth and hassle-free manner,” he added.
Therefore, the Chief Minister impressed upon RK Singh to allocate additional firm power from Central Sector Generating Stations. “Punjab is getting regular coal supply from Pachhwara (Central) Coal Mine for State Thermal Plants. However, the total generation capacity within the state is limited to about 6500 MW, whereas the peak demand is likely to touch 15,500 MW during the paddy season,” he added.
Therefore, to meet the peak demand of power in the forthcoming paddy or summer season, central assistance is imperative, he said.
Flagging another issue, he said that the Ministry of Power has issued directions on February 20, 2023, regarding invocation of Section 1 of Electricity Act, 2003, to imported coal-based plants and the same are valid till June 15, 2023. Mann said that due to the approaching summer season, these directions carry significance in the case of Punjab due to our 475 MW share in CGPL, Mundra.
“As peak demand or paddy season of Punjab will start from June 10 onwards, the state is in dire need of firm RTC power during this period. Hence, I request the Union Power Minister to extend these directions till October 15 so that the power requirements of all sections of the society can be met,” said the Chief Minister.
Mann said that the state’s food growers have always played a key role in making the country self-reliant in food production, so the Union Government must ensure regular and additional power supply to the state so that farmers can be facilitated.