CHANDIGARH: Amid a major power crisis in Punjab, Confedration of Indian Industry (CII) chairman for Punjab Bhavdeep Sardana on Friday stressed on the need to strengthen transmission and distribution infrastructure in the state, explore options for setting up more renewable energy plants, and integrate national grid to wheel in power from other states at competitive rates.
In a virtual interaction with A Venu Prasad, chairman and managing director of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), CII Punjab members also suggested to implement diversification of crops in Punjab, so farmers’ dependence on paddy could be reduced, which would save electricity and ground water. Sardana said, “The state now must look at ways to encourage diversification to crops other than paddy, so our dependence on ground water and power-guzzling motors is reduced.”
He added the state needed to strengthen transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure and cut down on T&D losses.
Sardana pointed out that a two-day power cut in a week was actually a lot to bear for the industry at this stage and the state government should balance it out with other category consumers.
He said the state government needed to look at diversifying its energy basket and not entirely depending on its current mix, which was mostly thermal and hydro, and negligible renewable energy. “Going forward and with climate change becoming a major policy factor, renewable power at competitive rates would be the key,” he added.
The CMD PSPCL said the failure of private-run thermal plants to provide committed supply during the peak season had resulted in a power shortage. Otherwise, he said, there were no cuts in the last two years. He added delayed monsoon had caused severe power outages in the state, adding to the woes of people. He said demand for power had aked increased as more people were working from home. “Normally, we make arrangements of up to 12,500 MW but this year keeping these problems in view, we made arrlangements for 13,500 MW,” he added. He that the rainfall will improve the situation.
