History Created by Punjab :Purchased Private Power Plant : CM
PLANT TO BE NAMED AFTER THIRD SIKH GURU, SRI GURU AMARDASS JI
first time in the history this reverse trend has started
Chandigarh, January 1- updatepunjab : In a New Year bonanza to the residents of the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that the state has created history by purchasing Goindwal power plant owned by a private company GVK Power at a cost of Rs 1080 crore.
The Chief Minister said that for the first time in the history this reverse trend has started that the government has purchased any private power plant whereas in the past the state governments used to sell their assets to the favorite individuals at ‘throw away’ prices.
He said that the power plant is the cheapest purchase made by any state/private company as other power plants like Korba West, Jhabua Power and Lanco Amarkantak of capacity 600 MW have been purchased at Rs 1804 crore, Rs 1910 crore and Rs 1818 crore respectively. He said that the 540 MW power plant has been purchased at Rs 2 crore per MW.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is much less than other power plants whose acquisition has been made at Rs 3 crore per MW. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that will be named as Sri Guru Amardass Thermal Power plant after the third Sikh Guru.
The Chief Minister announced that the power plant’s available capacity was 61%, utilized only up to 34%. However, it will now operate at 75-80%, significantly boosting power generation in the state. He emphasized the termination of 33% of Private Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with private thermals. Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted the contrast between the closure of Bathinda and Ropar thermal power plants on January 1, 2018, and the recent acquisition of a private power plant on the same date.
STATE TO SAVE RS. 300- 350 CRORES
The Chief Minister explained that by utilizing coal from the Pachwara coal mine for government power plants, the acquired power plant ensures effective coal utilization for widespread power supply across the state. He anticipated a reduction in overall tariff by over Rs. 1 per unit, resulting in savings of Rs. 300-350 crores on power purchase, benefiting consumers. The increased power generation, with a Plant Load Factor (PLF) of 75-80%, is expected to double, providing additional employment opportunities for the youth.
Highlighting the history of the GVK Goindwal Sahib Thermal plant, the Chief Minister disclosed the MOU route cost-plus basis project, initiated in 1992. He mentioned the various agreements and amendments leading to the commissioning of the plant in 2016. Bhagwant Singh Mann revealed the competitive bid process involving 11 contenders, with PSPCL emerging successful in purchasing the plant in February 2023.
The Chief Minister further said that between 2016-2023, the state government had purchased 11165 million units of power by paying Rs 7902 crore. He said that ironically the GVK thermal plant was paid Rs 1718 crore fixed cost without even getting power adding that average per unit of Rs 7.08 per unit was paid to the power plants. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that estimated per unit cost after acquisition with Pachwara coal will now be Rs 4.50 per unit adding that it will save Rs 300-350 crore per annum which will be judiciously utilized for the well being of people.
The Chief Minister declared that all pending arrears of the PSPCL had been settled by December 31. He emphasized the addition of three government and two private thermal plants to the operational assets in the state. Reflecting on his past involvement as an artist in the project’s initiation event in 2009, Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed gratitude for being chosen to purchase the plant, enhancing the state’s power supply.
The Chief Minister further announced a comprehensive review of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for solar power in the state. He highlighted the current purchase cost of solar power at Rs 2.54 paise, contrasting it with the previous tenures where exorbitant amounts, even up to Rs 15, were paid for the same. Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed a thorough review, with a commitment to holding accountable anyone who profited at the expense of the state exchequer.
Responding to a query, the Chief Minister criticized the Union government for attempting to diminish the contribution and sacrifice of great martyrs, including Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, and others. He expressed intolerance for the exclusion of their tableaus from the Republic Day parade, deeming it a grave insult to these national heroes and patriots.
SAYS JAKHAR YET TO MASTER THE ART OF LYING
The Chief Minister accused state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar of outright lying on the tableau issue, claiming that Jakhar has not yet mastered the art of lying according to the wishes of his masters. He highlighted Jakhar’s recent entry into the BJP, emphasizing that he is still adapting to reading the scripts prepared by their high command. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed his disappointment, stating that it is unfortunate for the BJP leadership to consider tableaus without even bothering to include the state in the discussion.
