Power demand picks up as heat wave starts
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ April 21,2026
With the start of heat wave conditions in Punjab the power demand has increased by 800 MW and people feel the pinch of irregular power supply at some places at the start of summer season. The maximum power demand on Monday was 9478 MW and with cuts imposed to the tune of 14.13 Lakh Units only .
The power supply in Punjab was 1798 LU against demand of 1809 LU. Last year on corresponding day the maximum demand was 8653 MW with supply of 1629 LU. This year rainfall will be in the range of 92 percent of average rainfall of the last 10 years. The number of heatwave days will increase this year, warns meteorological department.
Last year the maximum power demand during the paddy season was 17233 MW with restrictive supply .There is a gap of 800 MW between restricted and unrestricted supply of power. This year power demand may touch 18000 MW. Normally there is an increase of 1000 MW every year
The reservoir level at Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar are better than last year. The coal stock at thermal plants is also good at the start of summer.
