Punjab CMChandigarh, Jan 21 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister AmarinderSingh today ruled out reversal of the government's decision toclose down the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP), Bathinda,pointing to the non-feasibility of continuing operations.
In a statement issued here, the chief minister explainedthe circumstances that led to the closure of the Bathindathermal plant and two units of Ropar thermal plant, saying thedecision had to be taken mainly due to lack of power demand inthe state and availability of cheaper power from otheralternate sources.
Reiterating that no employee would lose his job becauseof the closure and all workers would be accommodated withinthe region, the CM said after closing down plant operationscompletely, the surplus manpower of the Bathinda plant shallbe utilised on other works where there is shortage of staff.
This will increase productivity as it will stop increaseof power generation cost over the year, besides resulting insavings to PSPCL, since power from GNDTP Bathinda was beinggenerated at a very high cost as compared, with overall costof electricity in PSPCL making generation from GNDTP unitsunviable.
Amarinder once again made it clear that no retrenchmentof the staff (regular/contract basis) shall be done and all ofthem shall be adjusted suitably in the nearby locations, withfull pay protection.
Notably, employees of Bathinda thermal plant have beenprotesting against the government's decision of shutting downBathinda and Ropar power plants.
Giving details of the power situation in the state, thechief minister pointed out that power demand in Punjab variesvery widely during paddy and non-paddy season.
This year, the maximum demand had been recorded at 11,600MW in summer months and 5,600 MW in winter months.
Further, in winters, there is a lot of variation in theday and night time demand, with the latter coming down toaround 3,000 MW.
Though the state has become power surplus, generationcapacity is utilised fully only in paddy periods of fourmonths and, for the remaining eight months, the same remainsunderutilised, he said.
Further, over the last seven years -- from 2009-10 to2016-17, installed capacity of Punjab from own generation,long term share in central sector projects, IPPS and NRSEprojects has doubled from 6,900 MW to 14,000 MW, whereasannual sale of power in the state increased merely 39 per centfrom 32,000 MUs to 44,400 MUs.
During the same period, domestic and commercial saleincreased by 86 per cent, industry just by 27 per cent and APsupply by 16 per cent.
In fact, said the CM, the plant is of old design andrequires more manpower for operation as compared to new powerplants, which are fully computerised.
At present, new plants are being installed with highercapacity units like 660 MW and 800 MW.
The old plants also require more maintenance and theperformance of equipment comes down with the passage of time,he pointed out.
According to CM, work order had already been placed onconsultant Steag Energy India Pvt Ltd, Noida, for conductingdetailed feasibility report for three units of 800 MW atGGSSTP Ropar.
With change in technology, lot of developments aretaking place in the area of wind and solar energy, the chiefminister pointed out, underlining the importance of shiftingto alternative sources of energy in the interest of the state.
The cost of solar energy, which used to be as high asRs 18 per unit, has recently come down to around Rs 3 perunit.
Similarly, the cost of wind energy has also come downto around Rs 3 per unit to provide energy at affordableprices, which made it imperative for Punjab also to go forcheaper sources of energy and close down old technologythermal stations. PTI CHSMKJ.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.