The worst seems to be over for power-starved Punjab. Beginning of paddy harvesting has brought down the demand of power for the farm sector and hence supply to farmers will be curtailed from the present five hours to four hours per day from this week. The move will save 50 lakh units (LUs) of power per day for the state. The domestic sector load is also likely to come down due to lesser use of air-conditioners.

It may, however, still not be enough to bridge the demand and supply gap, which is hovering around 400 LUs per day. “Against the availability of 1,300 LUs from all sources, the power demand in the state is still 1,700 LUs,” said Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Member (Transmission) S C Sabharwal.

The availability this year has suffered owing to deficient rains as the state received 225 MW less power from Bhakra Dam and 75 MW less from Dehar hydel project. The total power available in the state during the current year is, however, still 7.3 per cent more than last year — but not enough to match the demand, which has increased by 31 per cent.

The cash-strapped PSEB is footing huge power bills — Rs 8.7 per unit for overdrawing from the grid (unscheduled interchange) and Rs 6.9 per unit for buying from traders. Overdrawing from grid, private purchase and bilateral banking, including the recent tie-up for 100 mega watt (MT) with West Bengal, have helped the state add up nearly 475 LUs. This, together with what it gets from the Central pool and state’s own generation, however, adds up to 1,300 LUs only.

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