Chandigarh/Tarn Taran, April 26: In a significant move towards clean energy, the Punjab government announced the establishment of a 125 MW solar power plant at the Sri Guru Amardas Thermal Plant in Goindwal Sahib. Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO revealed that the solar project will span 500 acres, further boosting Punjab’s renewable energy capacity.

Reviving the Goindwal Sahib Thermal Plant

During his visit to the plant, Harbhajan Singh shared that the Punjab government acquired the 540 MW thermal plant from GVK Company in 2024 for ₹1,080 crore. The facility, spread over 1,175 acres, currently has two operational 270 MW units.

• The overhauling of one unit has been completed.
• The second unit will be fully operational by May 10.

125 MW Solar Power Plant : Ensuring Uninterrupted Power for Paddy Season

With the paddy season approaching, the minister assured farmers of a stable power supply. He highlighted that:

• All state thermal plants have sufficient coal stock.
• The Goindwal Sahib plant alone has a 41-day coal reserve.

Boosting Efficiency & Workforce

The Punjab government has taken steps to enhance the plant’s performance:

• Plant Load Factor (PLF) improved from 7% to 77%.
• The Punjab government will recruit 10 new engineers to strengthen operations.

Officials Present

The meeting was attended by:

• Ajoy Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary
• Harjit Singh, Director (Generation)
• . Surinder Kumar Beri, Director (Finance)
• Inderpal Singh, Director (Distribution)
• . M.R. Bansal, Chief Engineer (Lehra Mohabbat)
• Harish Kumar Sharma, Chief Engineer (Ropar)

This initiative underscores Punjab’s commitment to sustainable energy while ensuring reliable power for agriculture and industry.