CHANDIGARH/LUDHIANA: Punjab has met its highest-ever electricity demand of 17,423 MW without imposing any power cuts due to shortage, while maintaining 24×7 power supply across the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors. Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said the achievement came amid a sharp rise in electricity demand this year and highlighted the state’s preparedness and power generation capacity in meeting the unprecedented requirement.
Addressing a press conference at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Ludhiana on Monday, Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said, “From 7 AM yesterday, 13 September, until now, no power cuts due to electricity shortage have been imposed in Punjab. Along with this, continuous 24×7 electricity supply has been ensured and is currently running for all four major sectors: residential, commercial, industrial and agriculture.”
He said the scale of the achievement becomes clearer from the sharp rise in electricity demand this year. “In previous years during the month of September, electricity demand used to hover around 13,100 MW, but this year it touched 16,600 MW. This meant an extra demand of 3,500 MW. Despite this additional demand of 3,500 MW, PSPCL (Punjab State Power Corporation Limited) successfully handled the challenge, which in itself is a massive achievement for the Punjab Government,” he stated.
He commended the officials of the Power Department for working round the clock. “They worked day and night, fixed the technical glitches in the thermal plants and brought them back online,” he stated. MLA Chaudhary Madan Lal Bagga and MLA Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina were also present on the occasion.