Power demand in Punjab hits record 16,838 MW, close to breaching 17,000 MW amid 48 degrees Celsius heatwave

The power demand in Punjab on Tuesday touched an all-time high of 16,838 megawatts (MW) amid severe heatwave conditions, with maximum temperatures in the southern and western parts of the state soaring between 46 degrees Celsius and 48-degree Celsius.

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With ongoing paddy transplantation further adding to electricity usage, it is anticipated that the state's power demand may soon cross the 17,000 MW mark.

Bathinda recorded a sweltering 47.6 degrees Celsius while Sirsa in neighbouring Haryana registered 46.2 degrees Celsius. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Chandigarh office, these prevailing heatwave conditions are likely to continue over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh for the next three days.

As per data from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), the state was drawing 10,243 MW from the Northern Grid, while its gross in-state generation stood at 6,600 MW. All state-run thermal and hydropower plants, including all four units of Ranjit Sagar Dam, were operating at full capacity.

The breakdown of power generation at peak demand was as follows:

State thermal generation: 2,020 MW

Private thermal generation: 3,192 MW

PSPCL hydropower generation: 950 MW

Solar generation: 395 MW