Punjab records highest paddy season power demand at 16,842 MW, farmers protest cuts

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Patiala, June 29

Punjab recorded the highest electricity demand of this year’s paddy season, with consumption reaching 16,842 megawatts, surpassing the previous record of 16,456 megawatts.

The sharp rise in power demand has led to electricity cuts in agricultural areas, prompting several farmers to protest and surround electricity department offices at various locations. Farmers alleged they were not receiving an uninterrupted eight-hour power supply, which was affecting irrigation and causing their crops to dry.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher warned that if the situation does not improve, large-scale protests would be held outside electricity board offices across Punjab on 30 June.

The increase in electricity demand comes amid a prolonged heatwave in Punjab, with temperatures remaining high over the past several days. The combination of rising temperatures and increased agricultural power requirements has put additional pressure on the state’s electricity supply system.

Farmers have expressed concerns that continued power shortages could impact crop health during the paddy season. They said that if rainfall does not occur in the coming days, electricity demand may increase further and could break existing records.