PATIALA : Punjab state electricity regulatory commission( PSERC) has allowed Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to apply power cuts in Punjab and directed that the Board would constrained to impose evening Peak Load Hours Restrictions and power cuts and take other Regulatory Measures.

The Commission has observed that there was a clear mismatch between availability of power from all sources and likely unrestricted demand for power in the State. The Board being deficit in power is unable to effect uninterrupted supply to its consumers. In the circumstances, it has become necessary for the Board to impose Peak Load Hour Restrictions on industry, restrict supply of power to   consumers and impose power cuts or regulate energy consumption of other categories of consumers.

The Commission accordingly authorizes the Board to impose such restrictions, power cuts and other regulatory measures as may be necessary to bridge the gap between demand and supply of power. Such measures shall, however, be taken only to the minimum extent to ensure least disturbance, dislocation and inconvenience to consumers and the general public while keeping in view the requirements of Grid stability and security.

PSEB has filed Petition under Section 23 of the Electricity Act, 2003 seeking authorization to impose Power cuts, Peak Load Hours Restrictions and taking other Power Regulatory Measures in the year 2008-09.

PSEB has submitted that during the year 2008-09, there is likely to be shortage in the availability of power vis-à-vis unrestricted demand ranging from 726 MW to 2113 MW and energy from 102 MU/day to 225 MU/day in different months during the year.

Board has intimated that while working out the availability of power, the estimated power/energy from all sources including own power houses, share from BBMB, share from Central Sector Projects, purchases from the market, banking with other States, availability from the projects proposed to be commissioned during the year 2008-09 and unscheduled over-drawls have been taken into account.

It would not be possible to disregard the discipline sought to be imposed by the Indian Electricity Grid Code, it has become necessary to control overdrawal by imposing power cuts or other regulatory measures as and when required, PSEB informed the regulator.

The Board has also intimated that the proposed Peak Load Hours Restrictions and power cuts are tentative and may change depending upon the availability/demand of power and other system constraints.

In its order commission told Board to make adequate arrangements for furnishing prior information to consumers of scheduled power cuts. However the unscheduled power cuts may be imposed in emergent situations even without prior information.

The Commission also said that the Board might also evolve a scheme to intensify the use of CFL lamps and other energy saving devices to encourage energy conservation.

It was also directed to consider drawing up of a scheme to conserve power including provision of automatic switching on/off on streetlights in cities where there is significant demand on this account.

In addition to sourcing of power from outside, explore the possibility of purchasing additional power from NRSE/Co-generation/IPPs units within the State, the regulator directed.