Chandigarh: Punjab’s power infrastructure faced a significant challenge on Tuesday as a thermal unit belonging to Punjab’s independent power producer (IPP) TSPL tripped due to a technical malfunction, exacerbating the state’s already strained power supply situation.
The incident has contributed to a shortfall in thermal generation capacity within Punjab. Adding to the complexity, a unit at the state-run power plant in Lehra Mohabbat has been offline since May 2022 following an Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) breakdown, yet to resume operations. Despite these setbacks, the state managed to avert scheduled power cuts, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply, particularly crucial for the agricultural sector during this critical period.
The power demand in Punjab surged to unprecedented levels, peaking at 15,709 MW on Monday and hovering around 15,000 MW on Tuesday. This surge reflects an increasing need for electricity, driven by factors including agricultural activities and rising temperatures. To meet this heightened demand, the state power utility ramped up its efforts, supplying approximately 3,303 lakh units (LUs) of power on Monday. This included contributions from various sources, with 158 LUs from Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), 385 LUs from state-owned thermal plants, and 194 LUs from state-owned hydroelectric plants.
The outage at TSPL’s unit highlights the vulnerability of thermal power assets to technical issues, necessitating swift resolutions to minimize impact on the state’s power grid stability. Looking ahead, authorities are expected to focus on enhancing the resilience of the power infrastructure, addressing operational challenges at thermal plants like TSPL and Lehra Mohabbat, and exploring sustainable solutions to meet future energy demands efficiently.
