Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO today stated that notwithstanding the unprecedented power demand, PSPCL has been supplying uninterrupted power to all sections of consumers in the State.Divulging details, the Cabinet Minister said that the State had witnessed unprecedented demand of power due to sharp rise in temperature since March this year in comparison to last year. “During April 2022, PSPCL has met upto 10000 MW peak power demand, which was 46 % higher than April 2021. This extraordinary power demand has continued unabated in May 2022, and 10900 MW peak demand has been met by the PSPCL which was over 60% higher than May 2021”, he added. Despite this no power cut is being imposed on any category of consumers and supply to agriculture pumpsets is also being given as per schedule, said the Minister.
In a press release issued here on Saturday, the Power Minister further stated that all the thermal units in the state are in running condition or available except one unit of GHTP Lehra Mohabbat, which has been shut down last night due to technical snag. Both the units of NPL Rajpura are operational and 3rd TSPL unit of 660 MW closed for annual overhauling is scheduled to start generation this evening. All the four units of GGSSTP Ropar are available and one unit is remain on standby to conserve coal for forthcoming paddy season as relatively cheaper power is available in the exchange. Further, two units of GHTP Lehra Mohabbat are currently running and one unit is on standby.
Harbhajan Singh informed that last night, Lehra Mohabbat Unit No 2 of 210 MW developed a technical snag in its Electrostatic Precipitators, for which CMD PSPCL had visited the plant for on-the-spot assessment. Team of BHEL Engineers from Chandigarh have also reached the site and BHEL experts from head office and design engineers from Ranipet would reach Lehra Mohabbat tomorrow to assess the damage and to provide help to revive the unit at the earliest. A committee has been formed to analyse the causes of the snag and to take remedial action along with BHEL engineers, said the Minister.Power Minister assured the people of the State that PSPCL will make all efforts to bring the unit back in operation at the earliest. PSPCL has been directed to make adequate arrangements for coal and power required in the state during paddy season and our officers are in regular touch with Union Power and Coal Ministries, he added.