Power situation in Punjab remains critical with the state's all the private and state-owned coal-based plants left with about two-day coal stock.
To tackle the prevailing coal shortage, the state power utility — Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) — is imposing power cuts, while buying electricity from power exchange at exorbitant prices.
“Despite coal shortage, PSPCL has supplied 9,352 megawatt (MW) in Punjab on Tuesday...PSPCL shall purchase about 1,800 MW of power from power exchange at a rate of Rs 10.55 per unit on Wednesday,” said PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director A Venu Prasad in the official statement.
Giving details about coal stock position, Prasad said that critical coal stock position is still prevailing in all the thermal power plants situated in Punjab. He said that currently, all the private and state-owned coal-based plants in the Punjab have about two days of coal stock.
He said that 13 coal rakes were received against a total requirement of 22 rakes on October 12 (Tuesday). “Although the coal rake supply is lesser, yet consistency of supply is being maintained. Besides, sufficient number of rakes are in pipeline and as such, the coal position shall improve in the coming few days,” he said.
Prasad claimed that the power cut duration was lesser on Tuesday due to improved power availability as an additional unit of GGSSTP, Ropar, Anandpur Sahib Hydel Project started 84 MW power generation after repair of channel in record time and one unit of GVK was made operational.
“Record repair of the channel of Anandpur Sahib Hydel Project has given a big relief to PSPCL in this power deficit scenario where power has to be purchased by PSPCL at higher rates whereas the per unit cost from its own project is only 25 paise,” he said.
Prasad appreciated the efforts of hydel organization engineers or officials for their hard work, effective planning and continuous monitoring on war footing for the repair of channel of Anandpur Sahib Hydel Project.
He also added that full power supply was being given to Basmati growing feeders and vegetable related feeders.