Paddy sowing season and intense heatwave, Power demand in Punjab crosses 16,000 MW

Chandigarh: Due to the intense heat wave and paddy sowing season, there is an increase in electricity demand, which has reached 16,000 MW. The demand for power in the agricultural sector has increased due to the near completion of paddy sowing in the state.

The rising power demand in the state has put the power department officials in a tizzy. The power demand in Punjab reached 16,000 MW yesterday afternoon, which is about 3,800 MW more than the same day last year. On this day last year, the maximum power demand in the state was recorded at 12,122 MW, compared to 9,362 MW on the same day in 2022.

To meet the increased demand for power, 13 out of the 15 units at five thermal plants in the government and private sectors are operational. Of these, two of the four units at the Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant are closed, while the remaining two are operational, generating 405 MW of electricity.

All four units of the Ropar Thermal Plant are generating 740 MW, and both units of the Goindwal Sahib Thermal Plant are generating 439 MW of electricity. Meanwhile, 1,325 MW of power is being generated from both units of the private sector Rajpura Thermal Plant, and approximately 1,700 MW is being generated from all three units of the Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant.

The increased need for electricity due to people staying indoors because of the heat is causing significant power supply to residential areas, leading to peak electricity demand.

However, meteorologists say that Punjab may receive intermittent rains on July 23 and 24, which may bring relief to the power department due to a drop in temperature.