1600 MW Boost: Punjab's Major Investment in Thermal Power

After more than 30 years, Punjab is set to make a major push in public sector thermal power generation, following the Centre’s approval for three new 800 MW supercritical thermal power units. Two of these will be built at the Ropar thermal plant site, replacing the previously dismantled 210 MW units, while the third will be developed by a private entity at a location yet to be finalized. This marks Punjab’s most significant public sector power investment since the Lehra Mohabbat plant, commissioned in 1997.

Punjab currently has 2,300 MW of power capacity under the public sector and 3,380 MW with private players. The addition of 1,600 MW will bring public sector capacity close to parity with the private sector—crucial as peak demand during the paddy season is expected to exceed 17,000 MW, compared to the current total availability of 16,800 MW (including grid drawl).

Although the Centre had earlier resisted approving thermal plants located far from coal mines due to high transport costs, Punjab successfully made the case for Ropar, citing existing infrastructure and access to underutilized coal mines. The first new Ropar unit is expected to be operational within four to five years.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.