📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Giridhar Appaji Nag Y
Business
Coal Shortage Halts 1,926 MW Generation, Triggers 4-Hour Power Cut for Punjab Industries
✍️ Amar Ujala · Patiala
🗓 07 Sep 2026, 09:22 AM
👁 4
A coal shortage forced the shutdown of 1,926 MW of power generation in Punjab, leading to a scheduled four‑hour electricity cut for industrial consumers.
Punjab's power grid faced a fresh strain on Tuesday when a shortage of coal forced the suspension of 1,926 megawatts of generation capacity at state‑run plants. The halt was announced by the Punjab Electricity Department as part of a broader effort to balance supply and demand amid dwindling fuel stocks.
The interruption will affect large industrial consumers, who are slated to experience a four‑hour power outage during the evening peak period. The scheduled curtailment is intended to prevent uncontrolled load shedding across residential areas.
State officials indicated that coal deliveries have been delayed due to logistical bottlenecks at national ports and rail terminals. They assured that measures are being taken to expedite the arrival of additional coal consignments and to explore alternative fuel options.
Punjab has been grappling with recurring electricity shortages this year, with several thermal plants operating below capacity. The current curtailment underscores the vulnerability of the state's power infrastructure to supply chain disruptions.
The electricity department has urged industrial users to conserve energy during the outage window and has promised to restore full generation capacity as soon as the coal backlog is cleared.
The interruption will affect large industrial consumers, who are slated to experience a four‑hour power outage during the evening peak period. The scheduled curtailment is intended to prevent uncontrolled load shedding across residential areas.
State officials indicated that coal deliveries have been delayed due to logistical bottlenecks at national ports and rail terminals. They assured that measures are being taken to expedite the arrival of additional coal consignments and to explore alternative fuel options.
Punjab has been grappling with recurring electricity shortages this year, with several thermal plants operating below capacity. The current curtailment underscores the vulnerability of the state's power infrastructure to supply chain disruptions.
The electricity department has urged industrial users to conserve energy during the outage window and has promised to restore full generation capacity as soon as the coal backlog is cleared.