The widespread rain lashing northern region on Friday led to significant drop in demand for power, which may help the Punjab’s power utility, Punjab State Power Corporation limited (PSPCl), to build up its coal stock that has already reached a ‘critical’ stage.
With the demand for power coming down considerably, the PSPCl on Friday reduced its power generation by backing down units at Ropar, Bathinda, lehra Mohabbat and Rajpura thermal power plants.
Following the extensive rain in several parts of Punjab, the demand for power went down from 2,200 lakh units per day prevailing couple of days ago to 1,100-1,200 lakh units now.
“The demand for power has dropped sharply because of rains. It will help us to build up coal stock at our thermal units,” said the PSPCl Director (Distribution) Kl Sharma.
PSPCl’s thermal power plants were facing ‘acute shortage’ of coal supply as they were left with coal stock for just two-three days, forcing it to resort to unscheduled power cuts in the State.
PSPCl on Friday backed down five units (210 MW each) of Ropar plant, two units (110 MW) of Bathinda plant, two units (250 MW) of lehra Mohabbat and Rajpura plant (660 MW) because of drop in demand for power.
Widespread rainfall lashed most parts of Punjab and Haryana plummeting the maximum temperature by up to two degrees celsius in the region. Rain lashed various parts of Punjab, including Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Talwandi Sabo, Faridkot, Sirhind, and Fatehgarh Sahib.