Punjab Power Cuts: Summer Heat Meets Grid Upgrades

Punjab is implementing significant maintenance on its electricity distribution system, leading to scheduled power outages in major cities including Patiala, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Mohali, and Bathinda. These 'modernization' projects, valued at ₹5,000 crore, involve upgrading infrastructure like overhead cables and transformer capacities.

The primary goal is to enhance and modernize the grid, ensuring a robust and seamless power supply during the upcoming peak summer and paddy seasons, which are anticipated to see demand exceed 17,000 MW. This work is considered crucial for long-term consumer benefits despite the immediate inconvenience.

This planned maintenance is occurring amidst a severe heatwave, with temperatures reaching over 40°C in several districts. Experts and consumer groups have raised concerns about the timing, suggesting such work is typically performed in winter. The duration of daily outages is being reviewed, with plans to potentially reduce them from 8-9 hours to 4-5 hours.