Thermal plants showing high performance: Chaudhri
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 28
The authorities of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) have claimed that thermal power plants in the state are achieving an all-time high performance and are ready to generate maximum power during the summer and the paddy season.

PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director KD Chaudhri said Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant (GHTP), Lehra Mohabbat, had generated 230.84 lakh units (LUs) which was an all-time high in a single day and 10 LUs more than the full-rated capacity.

PSPCL, Director (Generation), GS Chhabra, said Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant (GGSST), Ropar, and GHTP, Lehra Mohabbat, had not only exceeded their annual generation targets, but had also achieved the distinction with efficient and economic operation. “The station heat rate, which measures heat energy used to generate one unit of electricity for GHTP, Lehra Mohabbat, is 2,426 kilocalorie - much lower than the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) norm of 2,500 kilocalorie. The GGSST, Ropar, too has recorded the most efficient and lowest-ever heat rate of 2,611 kilocalorie,” he said.

Chhabra further stated that the planned maintenance of thermal units had been carried out to ensure reliable operation during the peak demand period in summer and paddy season. “Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (Bathinda) unit-2, currently under overhaul, will commence operations by the end of the month. Maintenance of Lehra Mohabbat plant unit-2 planned for April 2011, has already been carried out in February in order to ensure additional generation, when required,” he said. Chhabra further stated that maintenance of unit-4 of the plant will be undertaken in May for mandatory inspections and overhaul.

Meanwhile, Chaudhri has also stated that hydel generation was satisfactory and water level in the reservoirs at Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar, which tend to be the lowest at this point of time, are much higher than previous year.