Punjab: Old units of Ropar thermal plant shut down 22 times in 40 days
Punjab: Units of the Ropar thermal plant have faced emergency shutdowns 22 times in the last 40 days, bringing power generation operations to a halt. Power outages have been reported for a total of 515 hours since June 14. This is the most number of times any thermal plant in the state has been hit by power outages, according to a report by the Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC). Only 13 such incidents were reported from other plants, including those run by private companies. The Talwandi Sabo thermal plant, which is being maintained by a private company, stood second with only five such incidents. It was followed by the state-run Lehra Mohabbat and Gobindwal thermal plants, where units shut down four and three times, respectively.
According to the report, the Rajpura plant witnessed such an incident only once, taking the total number of such incidents to 35 from June 14 to July 24. The 840 MW Ropar plant has four units. According to sources, frequent power cuts in the old power generation units of the Ropar thermal plant have forced the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to buy power from other states through the Northern Grid. Harish Kumar Sharma, chief engineer of the Ropar plant, said all the four turbines installed there are around 35 years old and have completed their stipulated life. He said most of the outages are caused by boiler tube leakage. “PSPCL is in the process of awarding a Rs 107 crore contract to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) to address this issue,” he said.
‘Has completed its life’
The chief engineer said that although the plant has completed its life, they are still getting a study done to extend it at least till 2031-32. “The feasibility of installing two turbines capable of generating 800 MW of power is being considered. This will increase the power generation capacity by 1,600 MW,” he said.
Urges PPCB to reconsider withdrawal of consent
The matter comes days after the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) imposed a fine of Rs 5 crore on the PSPCL-run plant for violating environmental laws. In an order dated July 7, the pollution control board had also withdrawn the consent to operate of the plant, following which the plant authorities cannot buy coal. Sharma said he has filed a review petition before the board chairman seeking a stay on the order.
