Private power plants in Punjab may start soon

The decision of the central electrical authority (CEA) to allocate one lakh tonne of coal each for the trial run of the first units of the two upcoming power projects in Punjab, would help in strengthening the government's claim to make the State power surplus by next year. The first unit(660 MW) of Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant would commence commercial operations by October this year, while Rajpura Thermal Plant's first unit(700 MW) would begin operations by January next year.

Speaking to Business Standard, Anirudh Tiwari, secretary power & non-conventional energy, said, "Work is in full swing at 1980 MW(3 units of 660 MW each) plant at Talwandi Sabo, being developed by the Sterlite Group and Rajpura Thermal Plant 1400 MW(2 units of 700 MW each) by Larsen & Toubro. With the coal allocation by CEA for trial run, we expect to commission the first unit of Talwandi Sabo Power Plant by October this year commercially. While the second and the third unit are likely to be commissioned commercially by April and June next year, respectively. As far Rajpura plant is concerned, the first unit will be commissioned by January 2014 and the second by May 2014." These two upcoming power projects have already been allocated coal linkages .

With the assured supply of coal to the upcoming thermal plants, the state government was zeroing in to achieve its ultimate goal of generating additional power of 3920 MW. The Punjab government is of the view that with the commissioning of these power projects by private players, the State will become self sufficient in power

The power generation of the State was 7035 MW as on March 31, 2012 and unrestricted demand at the peak was about 9600 MW. Further, of the total, 4878 MW is from own power houses, 184 MW from micro hydel/bio-mass and other projects and 1993 MW is its share from central power project.

Further, the Centre has issued a notification asking Coal India Ltd. to sign fuel supply agreements (FSA) to include the Unit-1 of Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura Thermal Plant for 2013-14.