The state of Punjab, where electricity consumption is increasing 15% annually, will remain power starved in the coming months, with a deficit of more than 20%.
According to the data provided by Northern Regional Power Committee, the state will not be able to meet the peak demand, which means there will be no respite from power cuts.
According to the data available for the month of May, peak demand is expected to touch 6,330 mw, while peak availability will be 4,880 mw, reaching a total deficit of 22.9%. In the month of June, the peak demand for power is expected to be 7,510 mw, while peak availability will be 5,910 mw.
However, in the ongoing month of April, the peak demand is projected at 5,770 mw while the state will be able to supply 4,250 mw only.
The state has been facing power shortage for some months now. In January there was peak demand for 5,563 mw, while the state had supply of 4,676 mw. In February, demand stood at 6,141 mw while the total availability was 4,773 mw.
A senior official of the Punjab State Electricity of Board, however, claimed there would be no power shortage in the state as the board has chalked out a calculative summer plan. ?To meet the deficit we have banked with states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal and Madhya Pradesh. The board has done the necessary purchases to meet the demand for power in the state. We are constantly working towards strengthening the infrastructure and have managed to reduce transmission and distribution losses from 25% to 20% now.?
