With no respite from the severe coal shortage, thermal plants in the state continue to run at minimal capacity, forcing the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to buy costly electricity from the national grid.
Normally holding surplus power in October, the power body would sell the excess to the grid. In the last two years alone, it sold power worth almost ₹1,200 crore during the off-peak season, particularly in September and October.
This time around, it has instead been forced to purchase 1,300 MW (megawatts).
“The overall situation is grim. To conserve coal, PSPCL is not running the plants at full capacity. Let alone earn revenue from selling surplus power, it is buying electricity from the national grid on day-to-day basis for smooth supply.
