Frequent power breakdowns ailing industry
Ludhiana: Frequent load-shedding and irregular power supply is giving sleepless nights to industrialists in Ludhiana. Though the govt has been promoting Invest Punjab and ease of doing business, taking care of the basic needs of industry like power and water supply is the need of the hour.
With temperatures rising, the situation has worsened, causing substantial operational disruptions to various manufacturing units, particularly in key industrial hubs like the focal points.
The problem also lies in the outdated distribution infrastructure, especially the ageing conductors and wires, that cause power tripping.
OP Bassi, president of the Focal Point Phase 8 Industrial Association, said, "These old systems continue to hinder smooth power distribution, leading to regular tripping and breakdowns."
Explaining that the implications of even a momentary power trip are much more in the industrial sector, he said, "If there is even a one-minute power failure, it interrupts the work of electric machinery that is equivalent to an hour's downtime. In case of a 30-minute power cut, it takes up to four hours to reheat furnaces and resume operations. This is not just hurting industrial productivity but also causing massive losses to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
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Though govt representatives recently claimed that large transformers have been installed to address the issue and ensure uninterrupted power supply, Bassi said that alone is not enough. "Other infrastructure, including conductors, also need to be fixed," he added.
Echoing similar concerns, Pankaj Sharma, president, Association of Trade and Industrial Undertakings (ATIU) said, "Unannounced power cuts have increased significantly in recent weeks. The industry is already battling labour shortage. Add to that the power crisis, and it becomes almost impossible to maintain timely production schedules."
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United News of India
11-06-2025
- United News of India
Notwithstanding Kabir Jayanti holiday, Punjab power demand scales record high
Chandigarh, Jun 11 (UNI) Notwithstanding a government holiday on Wednesday on account of Kabir Jayanti, power demand in Punjab scaled to a record high of 16836 Mega Watt due to sweltering heat coupled with paddy load. The Punjab State Power Corposation Limited (PSPCL) was drawing over 10,243 MW from the northern grid while its own gross generation was 6600 MW. All the thermal units are operating today. Even hydel plants are running, including four Ranjit Sagar units. At the time of record demand, PSPCL's own thermal generation was 2020 MW, and private thermal generation was 3192 MW. PSPCL's hydro generation was 950 MW and solar generation was 395 MW. On Tuesday, Punjab's electricity demand soared to a record-breaking 16,249 MW, surpassing the previous year's peak of 16089 MW recorded on June 29 However, if the current weather pattern persists, the maximum power demand in Punjab could potentially exceed 17000 MW in the coming days. PSPCL claims it is prepared to take additional measures, including importing more power and optimizing local generation, to meet this anticipated demand. The drawing limit from the northern grid is 10400 MW and its own maximum power availability may be around 6600 MW under ideal conditions. On Tuesday, PSPCL supplied 3383 lakh units with maximum demand of 16246 MW. On Monday PSPCL supplied 3295 lakh units with maximum demand of around 15640 MW. After an unusually cool summer in early June, the return of summer heat wave temperature is touching 44 degree celcious and the power demand has started rising sharply for the last three days. The coal stock at thermal plants in the state and power sector is sufficient. Lehra Mohabbat thermal has 21 days of coal stock, Ropar thermal 34 days of coal stock, and Goindwal 28 days stock. In the private sector Rajpura has 31 days stock and Talwandi Sabo 23 days coal stock. The water level in Bhakra Dam is 1555.4 feet, lower by 28 feet as compared to last year's level of 1584.2 feet. At Ranjit Sagar water level is 506.9 metres as compared to 507.20 metres on the corresponding day. UNI GS XC SSP
New Indian Express
11-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Power demand in Punjab hits record 16,838 MW, close to breaching 17,000 MW amid 48 degrees Celsius heatwave
CHANDIGARH: The power demand in Punjab on Tuesday touched an all-time high of 16,838 megawatts (MW) amid severe heatwave conditions, with maximum temperatures in the southern and western parts of the state soaring between 46 degrees Celsius and 48-degree Celsius. With ongoing paddy transplantation further adding to electricity usage, it is anticipated that the state's power demand may soon cross the 17,000 MW mark. Bathinda recorded a sweltering 47.6 degrees Celsius while Sirsa in neighbouring Haryana registered 46.2 degrees Celsius. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Chandigarh office, these prevailing heatwave conditions are likely to continue over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh for the next three days. As per data from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), the state was drawing 10,243 MW from the Northern Grid, while its gross in-state generation stood at 6,600 MW. All state-run thermal and hydropower plants, including all four units of Ranjit Sagar Dam, were operating at full capacity. The breakdown of power generation at peak demand was as follows: State thermal generation: 2,020 MW Private thermal generation: 3,192 MW PSPCL hydropower generation: 950 MW Solar generation: 395 MW The current drawing limit from the Northern Grid is 10,400 MW, while the ideal in-state power availability is estimated at 6,600 MW. Meanwhile, coal stock across all thermal plants, both public sector-run and privately owned, is sufficient. At government-owned thermal plants, Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Plant has a 21-day stock, Ropar Thermal Plant has a 34-day stock, and Goindwal Thermal Plant has a 28-day stock. Among private sector plants, Rajpura has a 31-day stock and Talwandi Sabo has 23 days' worth of coal. In terms of power output, the Ropar Thermal Power Plant generated 680 MW, Lehra Mohabbat produced 830 MW, and Goindwal contributed 505 MW. Private sector plants also operated at high output, with Rajpura generating 1,325 MW and Talwandi Sabo contributing 1,860 MW. A PSPCL official said the department is prepared to take additional measures, including importing more power and optimising local generation, to meet the anticipated demand. However, an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned, 'If the power demand exceeds 16,800 MW, the consumers will start facing power cuts as it will surpass the transmission capacity infrastructure of PSPCL.' Yesterday, the state had also broken its previous record by reaching 16,249 MW, surpassing the June 29 peak last year of 16,089 MW. The water level at Bhakra Dam was recorded at 1,555.4 feet, which is 28 feet lower than the 1,584.2 feet recorded on the same day last year. At Ranjit Sagar Dam, the water level was at 506.9 metres, slightly down from 507.2 metres last year on the same day. The paddy transplantation in the state, spread over nearly 32 lakh hectares, began in staggered phases from June 1 to June 9, adding further pressure on the power supply. In its afternoon statement, the IMD Chandigarh Office said, 'It is observed maximum temperature over southern and western parts of Punjab are in the range of 46-48 degrees Celsius with highest maximum temperature reported over Bathinda (47.6 degrees Celsius). Maximum temperatures over northern and eastern parts of Punjab are in the range of 44-46 degree Celsius.' 'It is observed maximum temperatures over southern and western parts of Haryana are in the range of 45-47 degrees Celsius with highest maximum temperature reported over Sirsa (46.2-degree Celsius). Maximum temperature over northern parts of Haryana including Chandigarh are in the range of 44-45-degree Celsius,' it added. The IMD further stated that prevailing heatwave conditions are most likely to continue over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh during the next three days. Isolated severe heatwave conditions are also likely in southwestern districts of Punjab and Haryana during this period, with no large change in maximum temperatures expected in the next three days. A fall of 2-4 degree Celsius is likely thereafter. 'Whereas maximum temperature over northern and eastern parts of Punjab, Haryana including Chandigarh are likely to remain 44-46 degree Celsius during this period,' the statement added.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Time of India
Frequent power breakdowns ailing industry
Ludhiana: Frequent load-shedding and irregular power supply is giving sleepless nights to industrialists in Ludhiana. Though the govt has been promoting Invest Punjab and ease of doing business, taking care of the basic needs of industry like power and water supply is the need of the hour. With temperatures rising, the situation has worsened, causing substantial operational disruptions to various manufacturing units, particularly in key industrial hubs like the focal points. The problem also lies in the outdated distribution infrastructure, especially the ageing conductors and wires, that cause power tripping. OP Bassi, president of the Focal Point Phase 8 Industrial Association, said, "These old systems continue to hinder smooth power distribution, leading to regular tripping and breakdowns." Explaining that the implications of even a momentary power trip are much more in the industrial sector, he said, "If there is even a one-minute power failure, it interrupts the work of electric machinery that is equivalent to an hour's downtime. In case of a 30-minute power cut, it takes up to four hours to reheat furnaces and resume operations. This is not just hurting industrial productivity but also causing massive losses to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). " Though govt representatives recently claimed that large transformers have been installed to address the issue and ensure uninterrupted power supply, Bassi said that alone is not enough. "Other infrastructure, including conductors, also need to be fixed," he added. Echoing similar concerns, Pankaj Sharma, president, Association of Trade and Industrial Undertakings (ATIU) said, "Unannounced power cuts have increased significantly in recent weeks. The industry is already battling labour shortage. Add to that the power crisis, and it becomes almost impossible to maintain timely production schedules."
