Chandigarh, With the scorching heat in the northern region, power demand in Punjab reached an all-time high of 16,078 MW on Wednesday.
On Tuesday the demand had increased to 15,900 MW.
"Power demand touched an all-time high of 16,078 MW this afternoon," Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) sources said.
Last year, the state had seen an all-time high power demand of 15,325 MW on June 23.
The scorching heat and lack of any rain activity has increased the power demand in the state.Apart from this, the demand for electricity has also increased due to the paddy sowing season.
According to sources, if there is no rain in the coming days, there will be a power cut in the state.
Meanwhile, PSEB Engineers Association president Jasvir Dhiman said the state had recorded its highest demand of 16,078 MW on June 19, even before the full paddy load had started.
Electricity consumption increased by 37 percent in May compared to the same period last year.
"The situation is no better in the first 15 days of June. Overall energy consumption has increased by 42 percent and peak demand by 33 percent," Dhiman said in a statement.
He said, “Though power utility PSPCL is currently meeting the demand without any power cuts, the situation has worsened with the commencement of paddy transplantation.,
Dhiman said that while the Punjab power sector is geared up to provide quality power supply considering the annual load growth, consumers need to exercise some restraint in power usage due to the unprecedented heat wave in the last 3-4 decades.
He appealed to the public to set their air conditioners at 26 degrees for the next 12 days to manage the load effectively.
Additionally, Dhiman urged agricultural consumers to delay sowing of paddy by seven days to save water and power and use only short duration varieties that consume less water.
He also requested the farmers to irrigate only those fields where plants are planted and avoid watering empty fields.
A few days ago, the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) had written to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urging him to seek additional 1,000 MW power from the central pool in view of the unusual increase in power demand in the state.AIPEF had suggested that office timings should be changed from 7 am to 2 pm, while all commercial establishments, malls, shops etc. should be closed at 7 pm.
On Tuesday the demand had increased to 15,900 MW.
"Power demand touched an all-time high of 16,078 MW this afternoon," Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) sources said.
Last year, the state had seen an all-time high power demand of 15,325 MW on June 23.
The scorching heat and lack of any rain activity has increased the power demand in the state.Apart from this, the demand for electricity has also increased due to the paddy sowing season.
According to sources, if there is no rain in the coming days, there will be a power cut in the state.
Meanwhile, PSEB Engineers Association president Jasvir Dhiman said the state had recorded its highest demand of 16,078 MW on June 19, even before the full paddy load had started.
Electricity consumption increased by 37 percent in May compared to the same period last year.
"The situation is no better in the first 15 days of June. Overall energy consumption has increased by 42 percent and peak demand by 33 percent," Dhiman said in a statement.
He said, “Though power utility PSPCL is currently meeting the demand without any power cuts, the situation has worsened with the commencement of paddy transplantation.,
Dhiman said that while the Punjab power sector is geared up to provide quality power supply considering the annual load growth, consumers need to exercise some restraint in power usage due to the unprecedented heat wave in the last 3-4 decades.
He appealed to the public to set their air conditioners at 26 degrees for the next 12 days to manage the load effectively.
Additionally, Dhiman urged agricultural consumers to delay sowing of paddy by seven days to save water and power and use only short duration varieties that consume less water.
He also requested the farmers to irrigate only those fields where plants are planted and avoid watering empty fields.
A few days ago, the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) had written to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urging him to seek additional 1,000 MW power from the central pool in view of the unusual increase in power demand in the state.AIPEF had suggested that office timings should be changed from 7 am to 2 pm, while all commercial establishments, malls, shops etc. should be closed at 7 pm.