Gurgaon: A persistent shortage of natural gas has become a major stress point in Haryana’s power supply system, leaving several gas-based generating stations stranded and forcing the state to rely heavily on additional power procurement for the summer.The Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC) informed the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) that a lack of gas has left key generating units, covered by long-term power purchase agreements, largely unscheduled. This has worsened the supply deficit during peak demand months.HPPC projected the peak demand in 2026 to rise to 16,454 MW, the highest in the state’s history. Haryana expects a month-wise deficit of 1,278 MW in May, 2,870 MW in June, 2,943 MW in July, 1,766 MW in Aug, and 635 MW in Sept, even after accounting for all long-term tie-ups and banking arrangements. To bridge the gap, the state plans to purchase 287 MW for May and 337 MW for June to Sept.For years, plants such as Anta, Auraiya and Dadri remained largely idle due to dwindling domestic gas availability and the prohibitive cost of running them on imported gas. HPPC told the commission that despite having long-term PPAs in the past, these plants were relinquished because scheduling them became economically unviable, leaving the state without a crucial buffer during peak periods.The commission noted that these gas-based generating stations have remained largely stranded or significantly underutilised due to acute constraints in domestic gas availability and the pronounced volatility in LNG prices, forcing the state to bear unwarranted fixed costs. It added that prevailing global geopolitical developments have further intensified the systemic gas supply crisis.To address the shortfall, the state is relying on extra central allocations and buying power from the market for the short term. HERC has allowed Haryana to use power from the unallocated quota of central generating stations from May to September. HPPC has also invited bids for continuous short-term supply, pointing out that exchange prices during peak hours could hit the maximum of Rs 10 per unit. Securing this supply is important to prevent load-shedding.“Unless gas availability stabilises or alternative capacities emerge, Haryana’s summer demand will continue to outpace supply, compelling the state to rely on costly external purchases,” said an official.HPPC planned an additional purchase of 287.55 MW for May and 337.68 MW for June to Sept. The agency is apprehending a power deficit after considering availability from all contracted generating stations, banking arrangements and projected demand, including the non-availability of power from the J&K Baglihar Hydro Power Project. The situation is further impacted by reduced availability from thermal generating stations during the rainy season due to lower coal supply from mines.Overall, HPPC projected a power deficit ranging from 635 MW to 2,943 MW during the forthcoming summer months of FY 2026-27.Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, coupled with the development of industrial hubs, have significantly increased power demand in the industrial and commercial sectors. The influx of workers from other states has further contributed to rising consumption. “As an agrarian state with extensive agricultural activity, the demand shoots up sharply in summer due to heavy tubewell usage. Rising temperatures from April-May also push up residential and commercial air-conditioning loads,” said the officer.Discoms are under a statutory obligation to supply 24×7 uninterrupted electricity in their licensed areas. The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, notified by the ministry of power, affirm consumers’ right to reliable and quality electricity.
