Two generator transformers damaged in a week at Bhatinda thermal plant in Punjab

Saturday, 14 May 2011
BATHINDA: The burning of two generator transformers in a week at Bhatinda thermal plant is not a good omen for the consumers of PSPCL during paddy season.

The burning of transformers has rendered two 110 MW each thermal units out of circuit. The daily generation loss is more than 50 lakh units. The unit 2 transformer was burnt on May 5 and unit transformer has been damaged on May 13.

The plant authorities claimed that unit 2 transformer will be replaced by the end of this month as they had one spare transformer. For unit 1 transformer they are replacing LV and HV bushings in the hope that fault did not travel inside the transformer. The plant has LV bushing and PSPCL authorities are trying to arrange HV bushing from Gobindgarh or some other grid station. According to sources no spare similar transformer s available in India.

According to sources the first unit will take minimum three weeks if there is no internal fault in transformer otherwise it will also meet the fate of unit 2. Unit 2 transformer was also repaired last month in the hope that there was no internal fault in transformer.

Meanwhile PSPCL will have to purchase new transformers at a cost of few crore and delivery of transformer can be expected after 6 months. The repair to damaged bus duct will also take some time. PSPCL has already given order for bus duct.

The unit which is under renovation faced similar problem last year before renovation work was taken in hand in last December.

The power supply in Punjab is around 1250 lakh units and this demand will take a sharp increase after start of paddy season on june10.The Government has assured minimum 8 hour supply to formers in this election year.

Punjab which is an aggressive buyer of power when asked by state government will leave no stone unturned to match the power supply with demand.