Following a recent shortage in power supply, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has been forced to buy power from outside sources even in winters.
Owing to the shortage in power supply, consumers have been facing cuts of between four to six hours for the past four days.

In order to avoid any hue and cry from the public as was witnessed during the power shortage in summer, the PSPCL has made sudden and unscheduled power purchasing.

Though there were fewer cuts after Sunday afternoon, because of the shortage, potato farmers in the region have been hit badly as sowing of the crop is in full swing these days.

The PSPCL was comfortable while supplying power throughout the state till Thursday, but it was disruption in the supply of 190 MW per day from Mundra power projects in Gujraat and a non-functional unit of the Ropar thermal plant of 210 MW capacity suddenly due to a technical snag that led to a shortfall of 25 lakh units of power daily.

"There was a problem in two of the power projects in Gujraat from where we get 190-MW power supply. Since we have bought power from other sources, things will become normal from Sunday itself," said Arun Verma, director, distribution, PSPCL.

"We are buying power at Rs. 5.50 per unit from outside in order to meet the demand," he said.