Evening peak triggers outages as Punjab power demand surges

Patiala: Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) recorded a generation shortfall of 1,265 MW during peak evening hours on Tuesday, triggering scheduled load-shedding across parts of the state amid a sharp rise in power demand.According to PSPCL's power supply position report for May 12, Punjab's peak demand touched 10,227 MW at 12.30 pm, compared with 9,143 MW on the corresponding date last year — an increase of nearly 12%.The report showed total power availability at 2,275.69 lakh units (LUs) against unrestricted demand of 2,301.51 LUs, resulting in a net shortfall of 25.83 LUs for the day.Own thermal generation stood at 321.61 LUs, while hydro generation contributed 77.84 LUs.Generation from the Upper Bari Doab Canal Hydel Project remained shut after flood damage last year, with restoration still pending.Punjab purchased 1,711.91 LUs of power from central sector allocations, private power producers and electricity exchanges at an average rate of Rs 4.41 per unit, costing the state around Rs 75.5 crore in a single day.One unit each at GGSSTP Ropar and GHTP Lehra Mohabat also remained shut due to maintenance and technical faults.Officials said scheduled power cuts were imposed in several districts under rotational load-shedding, affecting rural and high-loss feeders.Districts impacted included Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Amritsar, Bathinda, Patiala, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran.PSPCL director (distribution) Inderpal Singh, who also holds charge of director generation, denied any overall power shortage."There are no power cuts imposed. Sometimes power is regulated on high-load feeders during night peak hours due to tripping or demand fluctuation," he said.