CHANDIGARH: Punjab State Electricity Board is imposing  power cuts ranging from 4 to 6 hours besides two days off for industrial units in the state as  the power demand has risen to 1405 lakh units against the power availability of 1191 lakh units.

According to official sources the gap of 213 lakh units between demand and supply is a new phenomenon in the state in this season. Normally the power in paddy season is limited to Sept 21 at the maximum September 30 but power is still being given to tube wells due to late sowing of paddy in many areas of state. Farmers are still demanding six hours supply of power to irrigate their late varieties crop resulting into increase of power demand.

Punjab was drawing 1982 MW from central generating units against the schedule of 1892 MW to bridge the gap between demand and supply. The thermal units in the state are producing 511 lakh units daily and its hydro units are generating 150 lakh units.

In the adjoining Haryana the daily gap of 180 lakh units has forced the power utilities to go for long power cuts sometimes exceeding 8 hours in major cities and more than 12 hours in other areas.

The closure of two thermal units at Panipat for renovation / annual maintenance and tripping of unit no. 4 on generator protection has worsened the situation. Yamunanagar unit was revived yesterday along with one unit at Panipat.

The daily power availability of 742 lakh units is for less than demand of 924 lakh units‘. Haryana’s own thermal generation was 279 lakh units and 11 lakh units from hydro projects.