Inefficient power units at Bathinda, Ropar plants to be shut

The Punjab Cabinet has given its go-ahead to the closure of the inefficient power units in Bathinda and Ropar with effect from January 1 without any job losses for the employees. As per the decision, taken in line with the guidelines of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to retire inefficient and economically unviable power plants in operation for more than 25 years, all units of 460-MW Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP), Bathinda and Unit-1 and 2 (2x210 MW) of 1260-MW Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant (GGSSTP), Ropar, will be shut down from January 1.

History:
The first unit of Bathinda thermal plant was made operational in September 1974 and second in September 1975. The first unit of Ropar themal plant was set up September 1984 and the second in March 1985. Bathinda plant has four units with the other two of 120 MW each. Ropar plant has six units, all of 210 MW each. Four units of Bathinda plant were constructed at a cost of Rs 115 crore while Rs 229 crore were spent on renovation and modernisation (R&M) of unit I and II from 2004-07 and Rs 465 crore on unit III and IV from 2012-14. The two units of Ropar plant had come up with Rs 380 crore.

Alternatives:
It was decided by the Cabinet to enhance focus on capacity addition in generation with wind power, solar power and other sources of renewable energy to avoid any shortage of power in the state.
 

By: Dr. Vivek Rana