Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC), Delhi, has refused to provide additional power to Punjab citing technical reasons. NRLDC is the apex body that ensures integrated operation of the power system in the Northern Region. Due to this decision, power cuts in the region can increase by 25% this summer.
There was no need to impose power cuts in the year 2020, but this time the situation is different. The demand for electricity increases in the three months of summer, April, May and June.
This time there is a demand of 14000 MW of power in the state, while Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has 13596.35 MW of power available from all sources. This demand may increase by the next month.
For this reason, PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director A Venu Prasad wrote to NRLDC demanding electricity. Prasad had demanded increase in total transfer capability (TTC) and available transmission capability (ATC) of the state to bring more power from outside Punjab.
In the letter to NRLDC, Prasad said, “It may not be out of place to mention that on account of transmission constraints Punjab may not be able to provide uninterrupted 8-hour power supply to farmers and it may also affect round-the-clock electricity for central government’s projects if TTC and ATC limit is not enhanced.” He said the TTC and ATC limit of Punjab be increased to at least 8,000 and 7,400, respectively before the start of the paddy sowing season from June to September so that uninterrupted power supply can be ensured to farmers.
As the demand has been rejected, there is no option other than power cut. According to PSPCL officials, if the two closed units of thermal plants in Ropar are started, then this problem can be overcome. But it is difficult for the state to do so as no preparations have been made for this in advance.
