Punjab power consumption shows a rise of 6% in first 21 days of May

Patiala: Punjab's electricity consumption increased by 6% in the first 21 days of May compared to the corresponding period last year, with the state using 4,574 Million Units (MUs) between May 1 and 21, according to the official data obtained from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).Last year, the state consumed 4,299 MUs between May 1 and 21. Cumulatively, for the April-May period of the current financial year (2026-27), Punjab consumed 9,731 MUs, compared to 9,533 MUs in the corresponding period of 2025-26 – an overall increase of 2%.Officials attributed the rise mainly to the ongoing heatwave. With temperatures across Punjab crossing 43℃, power demand rose sharply, with the maximum demand hovering between 13,000 and 14,000 MW, the seasonal peak.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast severe heatwave conditions in many pockets of Punjab. It stated that, at least for a few days, no significant change in maximum temperatures was expected in the region.The PSPCL data showed sharp spikes in consumption on several days in May. May 2 recorded the steepest single-day surge of 47%, with consumption at 223 MUs compared to 152 MUs on the same day in 2025. May 9 witnessed a 29% jump in consumption.The maximum demand met on May 2 stood at 11,453 MW, a 37% rise over last year's 8,350 MW for the same date.May 2026, however, slightly trailed last year in terms of maximum demand peaks. The highest demand recorded so far this month was 14,141 MW compared to 14,240 MW in May 2025 -- a marginal decline of 1%.On an annual scale, the PSPCL data showed that in May 2024-25, Punjab consumed 7,231 MUs for the full month, 37% higher than the 5,270 MUs consumed in May 2023-24.The first 21 days of the current month tracked lower than last May's full-month total, largely due to cooler early-month days.Punjab's paddy season is set to begin on June 1, covering over 30 lakh hectares, most of which is irrigated by tubewells. With weather predictions pointing to more heatwave days this year compared to last year and the monsoon likely to be below the 10-year average, experts in the power sector said demand was expected to touch 14,500 MW in the coming weeks.The IMD's seasonal outlook for April to June this year flagged above-normal heatwave days as likely over northwest India, including Punjab and Haryana, indicating the need for continued preparedness.Electricity demand in the state grew at an estimated 7 to 10% annually, driven by rising urbanisation, expanding industrial units, and the proliferation of air conditioners and cooling appliances among households.For the full FY 2025-26, Punjab consumed 76,053 MUs, a 3% decline from the 78,008 MUs recorded in 2024-25 -- a year that saw 11% growth over the previous fiscal.This fiscal, consumption for April was recorded at 5,157 MUs against 5,234 MUs in April 2025-26 -- a marginal 1% dip, while maximum demand increased by 7% to 12,025 MW.In 2023-24, the maximum demand met in Punjab was 15,325 MW, while in 2024-25 it was 16,058 MW – a rise of 4.78%. In 2025-26, the maximum demand met was 16,670 MW – a rise of 4% compared to 2024-25.With the paddy transplantation window weeks away and temperatures remaining high, grid managers at the PSPCL are preparing for a demanding June and July. All public sector thermal units at Ropar, Lehra Mohabbat and Goindwal, along with private plants at Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo, are expected to operate at high output levels to prevent supply disruptions.Inderpal Singh, director (generation), PSPCL, said that the power utility would be able to meet the demand even during the peak paddy season.MSID:: 131263745 413 |