Chandigarh, April 25: With temperatures soaring and over a month to go before the paddy transplantation season, Punjab’s electricity demand surged past 10,000 MW for the first time this year, according to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
The demand touched 10,298 MW in the morning, driven primarily by increased use of air conditioners and coolers. “We’re seeing an early spike this year due to the heatwave, and expect demand to stay close to 11,000 MW until paddy operations begin,” said a senior PSPCL official.
Officials are now preparing for the peak demand expected in June, projected to hit 17,500 MW once paddy transplantation begins on June 1. “Efforts are on to manage the rising load,” the official added.
Last year, the state logged a record 16,078 MW on June 19, breaking the previous high of 15,325 MW recorded during the 2023 paddy season.
To meet the anticipated surge, thermal plants have ramped up operations and coal stockpiles remain steady. All four units at Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar thermal plants are running, with Lehra Mohabbat holding coal stock for 27 days and Ropar for 39 days. The Goindwal Sahib plant, which did not operate on Wednesday, has reserves for 41 days.
Among private players, Rajpura plant has coal for 22 days, while Talwandi Sabo has 12 days of supply left.
Meanwhile, water reserves at Ranjit Sagar Dam have dropped. The reservoir level currently stands at 499.24 meters—7.44 meters lower than last year’s mark of 507.68 meters.
A former PSPCL chief engineer projected a consistent annual rise in demand. “The state is likely to see a 7 percent increase every year, with an additional 4,000 MW required in the coming years,” he said. “There is an urgent need for two 800 MW supercritical units and a solar plant to meet future demand.”
