CHANDIGARH: Punjab is likely to face an acute power shortage in coming months  during the current financial year as per Load Generation Balance Report recently released by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

As per the report, made available to PunjabNewsline on Monday, the net energy requirement of the Punjab during year 2008-09 is likely to be 43796 million units and the anticipated power y availability during the year will be only 39093 million units. It is, therefore, expected that the Punjab will suffer a shortage of 10.7 percent i.e. 4703 million units in the current financial year.

The power shortage in the state would be 22.4 percent in January 2009, 16.66 percent in October and 13.46 percent in August this year. The power shortage estimated during current month was 11 percent.

In the overall northern region there would be a shortfall of 6.3 percent. The power availability would be 220895 million units against demand of 235718 million units during the current financial year.

As per report the power shortage has been worked out as per present allocations and generation by state thermal and hydro projects. The firm allocation to Punjab are to the tune of 1748 Mw where as total allocation is 1935 MW. This does not include any short term purchase made by Punjab to overcome any emergencies.

Last year the report had predicted a shortfall of 15.2 percent but PSEB went to purchase 2745 million units of power through bilateral contracts and from traders. This year also the power purchase allowed by Punjab Regulatory Commission has already been exhausted in first four months of current financial year.

Meanwhile, the peak demand for the Punjab during the year 2008-2009 is estimated at 9110 MW with expected peak availability to the tune of 6100 MW. The Punjab is, therefore, likely to suffer a peak deficit of 33 percent i.e. 3010 MW during the year.

Last year Punjab received 5257.8 million units as assistance from different state through banking arrangements or through purchases.

As per report the Ropar thermal plant units would be closed for total of 135 days for annual maintenance. This does not include the forced closure of unit no. 5 for 25 days last month due to fire in control gallery of plant. The three Bhatinda units would be closed for 134 days for maintenance. The forth unit of thermal plant is under renovation. The maintenance period for three lehra Mohabatt unit is 49 days even when unit no. 3 has not been declared commercially available. The unit no. 4 of Lehra Mohabatt thermal plant is to be oil fired today and it would take few months before the unit gets stability.