Punjab power surplus as demand halves

From over 15,000 MW of peak demand, which the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) failed to meet almost 10 days back, the power demand has now dropped drastically to less than 7,000 MW. Punjab has already shut its state-owned thermal plant units as it is getting much cheaper power from the power exchange to meet its present demand of around 6,800 MW, following widespread rains.

With restrictions on all categories of industry and consumers already lifted, the state is ‘under-drawing’ power, which means it has more power and the demand is low. However, Punjab is still unable to sell its power as the rates of power in the central exchange are much cheaper. Rains in the past week have ensured the demand drops to less than 50 per cent within 10 days.