Patiala June 19:
For the second time in nine days, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has been compelled to use power purchased at higher rates from outside the state and shut its two thermal plant units.
On account of the sudden dip in power demand because of heavy rainfall, the power corporation closed one thermal unit at Ropar and one at the Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Plant at about 2.15 am. Confirming the development, Arun Verma, Director (Distribution), PSPCL, said that because of the storm and rainfall yesterday evening, as many as 500 feeders went of the circuit and there was a sudden load crash.
“Ludhiana, Faridkot, Bathinda, Tarn Taran and Ropar were the most affected places,” he added. Verma added that since the frequency was very high and had the thermal units not been closed, it would have led to underdrawl of power, available with us at just 20-25 paise per unit. “Now the load has started building up and both the thermal units may be started tonight,” he said.
On June 9, PSPCL had closed seven units of its three thermal plants on account of reduced demand by consumers across all categories. “The PSPCL has entered into power purchase pacts to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the state during summers. But because of the weather at this time of the year, the power demand is less compared to previous years. Also, if the corporation uses cheaper power from its own sources and surrenders the power purchased from outer sources, a penalty of 70 to 80 paisa per unit has to be paid to the companies with which the PSPCL had made the agreements,” claimed engineers stationed at the thermal plants.
For the second time in nine days, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has been compelled to use power purchased at higher rates from outside the state and shut its two thermal plant units.
On account of the sudden dip in power demand because of heavy rainfall, the power corporation closed one thermal unit at Ropar and one at the Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Plant at about 2.15 am. Confirming the development, Arun Verma, Director (Distribution), PSPCL, said that because of the storm and rainfall yesterday evening, as many as 500 feeders went of the circuit and there was a sudden load crash.
“Ludhiana, Faridkot, Bathinda, Tarn Taran and Ropar were the most affected places,” he added. Verma added that since the frequency was very high and had the thermal units not been closed, it would have led to underdrawl of power, available with us at just 20-25 paise per unit. “Now the load has started building up and both the thermal units may be started tonight,” he said.
On June 9, PSPCL had closed seven units of its three thermal plants on account of reduced demand by consumers across all categories. “The PSPCL has entered into power purchase pacts to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the state during summers. But because of the weather at this time of the year, the power demand is less compared to previous years. Also, if the corporation uses cheaper power from its own sources and surrenders the power purchased from outer sources, a penalty of 70 to 80 paisa per unit has to be paid to the companies with which the PSPCL had made the agreements,” claimed engineers stationed at the thermal plants.
