Punjab power crisis: Two units of Talwandi Sabo, Ropar thermal plants resume operations

Inputs by Gagandeep Ahuja from Patiala: In what may come as some relief amid sweltering heat and severe power crisis across Punjab, two out of five units of thermal plants that were shut have resumed operations. A unit of Talwandi Sabo Power Limited Plant at Mansa that had to be closed due to a technical snag has become operation again. Similarly, a unit of the Ropar thermal plant also resumed operations late Thursday evening. According to the latest information, one unit each at Ropar, Talwandi Sabo and Goindwal Sahib is still closed. Though Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is still getting 1130 MW less power from its thermal plants, it has claimed that the power supply situation across Punjab will improve shortly. Baldev Singh Sran, CMD of PSPCL, was quoted as sating that with the resumption of operations at two units of thermal plants, this would fulfil the surge in power demand and power supply situation. Also Read | AAP to set up mohalla clinics in Punjab; process starts Notably, rural areas of Punjab and industrial consumers have been suffering power outages for two days now. The power situation turned worse on Wednesday, after two more units — one at Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Power Plant at Ropar and other at Talwandi Sabo Power Limited plant at Mansa — were forced shut because of technical snags. There were simultaneous faults at two plants that lead to shortfall of 810 MW on Wednesday. Punjab is facing power shortage of about 2050 MW, out of the total demand of around 9500 MW, leading to the imposition of long power cuts for 6 to 8 hours in rural areas and of lesser duration in cities. On Wednesday, there was a shortage of 282 lakh units in the state. The power supply was 1,684 lakh units against the demand of 1,966 lakh units. Also read | Haryana to get additional power from other states to meet consumptions: Minister The power cut for the urban industry is of 6 hours. For rural consumers, power cuts are imposed for up to 12 hours and in cities, unscheduled cuts are imposed. The one unit of 210 MW at Ropar thermal, which was under shut down due to boiler leakage,  and 660 MW unit of Talwandi Sabo have resumed operations. -PTC News