Power demand set to go up by 4,000 MW, experts suggest adding thermal, solar units

With the power demand in Punjab likely to increase by about 4,000 MW in the coming years, experts suggest that the state should opt for 800 MW thermal units and solar power plants to meet the demand.

The power demand in Punjab has been increasing every year and this surge is being attributed to changing weather pattern, accelerating economic activity and rising agri-sector demand. “The power demand is likely to increase by about 4,000 MW in the coming years at an estimated rate of 7 per cent every year and to meet that demand there is an urgent need to set up two 800 MW supercritical units at Ropar thermal plant site and a solar plant in Bathinda,” said a former Chief Engineer of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).

In the recent paddy season, the state faced a shortage of 900 MW, resulting in unscheduled rotational power cuts across the state.

“The power deficit in Punjab needs to be set right by adequate capacity addition by way of three supercritical thermal units and solar power. During the paddy season this year, the unrestricted demand touched 16,900 MW and the state faced a shortage of around 900 MW. The power demand in Punjab is set to cross 20,000 MW within the next five years,” opined VK Gupta, a retired PSPCL engineer.

For the next five financial years, the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) forecast for Punjab states that “power demand will touch 19,466 MW” whereas the PSPCL’s own estimate suggests it to be around 18,956 MW. “However, the present power demand trend shows that Punjab power demand will touch 20,000 MW,” said a top PSPCL official.

“The PSPCL should install three new 800 MW supercritical units in place of existing 210 MW units at the Ropar thermal plant. Two 210 MW units at Ropar have already been dismantled and the setting up of supercritical units can be taken up immediately to meet the increased demand,” Gupta added.

“The PSPCL has sufficient coal available from the Pachwara coal mine. Due to the availability of land and infrastructure at Ropar, 800 MW thermal plant can be installed at a low cost to give cheaper electricity and generate employment opportunities,” he added.

Experts further suggest establishing a 250 MW solar plant under the state sector at the site of old thermal plant units at Bathinda. “The solar plants will help provide cheaper electricity to consumers. The project can be executed at a very low cost and in a short duration as power evacuation system is already available there. Moreover, the state government could encourage solar net metering projects for domestic and commercial consumers,” experts said.