Chandigarh, March 18: A major operational failure at the 990 MW Dehar Power Plant has led to a complete cessation of electricity production, prompting the Punjab Government to demand immediate corrective action. The plant, which serves as a vital peaking power station for northern India, has seen its generation capacity vanish as all six units have gone offline. Punjab has termed the situation a “serious operational failure,” noting that even partial operation could have supported the regional grid and prevented avoidable energy deficits.
The Punjab Water Resources Department declared that the project is now operating far below its potential, with technical issues and siltation causing a continuous decline in performance over the past three years. Officials affirmed that the breakdown of multiple units in February and March 2026 was the final blow to the project’s output. The state maintained that the inability to manage silt effectively since 2022 has led to frequent breakdowns and the premature wear of essential machinery.
BBMB authorities declared that they are exploring new solutions, such as utilizing extracted silt for construction purposes to allow for year-round dredging. They asserted that expert teams from the CEA have been sought to assess the causes of reduced generation and recommend long-term fixes. The Board also maintained that the modernization and life extension of the plant are high priorities to ensure its future viability.
Despite these assurances, the Punjab Government has requested a clear timeline for the restoration of the units. Officials asserted that the loss of peaking power has significant financial implications for partner states. The state government maintained that it will continue to pursue a comprehensive reference of the generation losses to ensure the reliability of the regional power infrastructure is restored.
