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PSPCL not acting judiciously on closure of thermal units
PSPCL is ordering closure of thermal units at Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar thermal plants, which produce cheaper power while Bhatinda units, which produce costly power and cause pollution, are allowed to run.
CJ: V K Gupta

Mon, May 30, 2011

PUNJAB STATE Power Corporation Ltd. (PSTCL) is not acting judiciously, and is loosing lakhs while applying 'back down' of thermal units in case power demands goes down in state.

PSPCL ordered closure of three 210 MW units slips during, two at Ropar and one at Lehra Mohabbat, at about 6.25 in the evening after storm and rain parts of state. No thermal unit was closed at Bhatinda thermal despite the fact that generation cost at Bhatinda thermal is highest.

It may be mentioned that when thermal units at Lehra Mohabbat and Bhatinda tripped on May 21, 2 Bhatinda units were revived after closing two thermal units at Ropar. On May 21 three 210 MW units of Ropar thermal and two units at Lehra Mohabbat were ordered to be closed and no unit at Bhatinda was closed.
According to official sources the coal consumption per unit at Lehra Mohabbat thermal is 610 gms., 660 gms. at Ropar thermal and it is 740 gms at Bhatinda thermal. The fuel cost per unit at Bhatinda is 220 paise per unit, 190 paise per unit at Ropar and 170 paise per unit at Lehra Mohabbat. The generation cost at Bhatinda is higher by 50 paise per unit as compared to Lehra Mohabbat.

Moreover, the ash discharge from the chimneys of Bhatinda thermal is highest and is an environmental problem in the region. A senior engineer said that there seems to be no merit in ordering backing down of thermal units at Ropar and Lehra Mohabbat. It seems that decisions are being taken without applying proper mind. PSPCL has been acting judiciously while making power purchase agreements this year but is not paying attention to this aspect.