Hit By Cold Wave, Himachal Pradesh Suffers Power Shortages, Imports 200 lu Daily

Shimla, Jan 9 (KNN) The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEBL) is currently importing more than 200 lakh units of power daily to meet the state's total demand of approximately 370 lakh units. 

The board is managing this shortfall through a combination of banking arrangements and market purchases, with 130 lakh units being sourced through power banking agreements with other states and 80 lakh units through market tie-ups and open market procurement.

Power generation in the state has experienced a significant seasonal decline, currently operating at merely 20 percent of its peak capacity. 

Daily power production has stabilised at around 150-160 lakh units, with HPSEBL-managed projects contributing 18 lakh units and Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) facilities generating 7 lakh units. 

Additional power sources include 33 lakh units of free power from Independent Power Producers and 100 lakh units from Central Public Sector Undertakings operating within the state.

A senior HPSEBL official explained that the board employs strategic planning for winter power procurement, including advance market tie-ups to address anticipated deficits, supplemented by real-time open market purchases to manage sudden demand fluctuations or generation shortfalls. 

The official emphasised that this winter decline in generation follows a typical seasonal pattern, attributable to reduced water availability in rivers, and mirrors the generation levels observed during the same period last year.

Looking ahead, power officials expect generation levels to maintain their current status quo before showing slight improvements beginning in February. A more substantial increase in power generation is anticipated from March onwards, coinciding with the seasonal change in water availability.

(KNN Bureau)