Punjab to be power surplus by 2013: Sukhbir

by Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, OCT 12

  The Punjab is all set to become first power surplus state in the country and by the end of 2013 it would generate 14487 MW of power against 6591 MW that was being generated when SAD-BJP government took the reins of power in 2007.

 Inaugurating the Conference of Power Reforms for the North, Target 24X7 Electricity for All organized by Confederation of Indian Industry here today, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab said that our government took the task of power generation as most important task of governance. He rued that Power sector that was being recognized now, should have been given priority at least 40 years ago visualizing the rising demand for power but our policy planners failed to act in time and made us habitual to live in the era of power shortages. He said that when he announced that Punjab would be power surplus within next five years, his announcement was joked upon as a futile dream and now he has shown to the world that if determined, you can achieve the impossible tasks. He said that by the end of 2013, Punjab would have its own generation capacity including BBMB share of 8816 MW with 355 MW share from Central Sector Projects, 1033 MW from share from Ultra Mega Projects, 647 MW share from Damodar Valley Project and 436 MW from NRSE projects.

Assuring power surplus status of Punjab for at least next 30 years, Mr. Badal said that not being contented with power surplus scenario they have already planning for future expansion. Mr. Badal informed that Punjab is all set to establish one thermal plant at pithead of Punjab government coal mine in Jharkhand and was exploring more revenues in renewal energy sector preferably from biomass. He said that work has already started for 206 MW Shahpur Kandi project and 18 MW Mukerian Hydel stage-2 would be commissioned in March 2013

He said that after becoming power surplus we are aiming to become cheapest source of power in the country and we would export power to other states and if allowed by Union government to Pakistan also. He said that he is going soon to Pakistan and would explore the possibility of export the power to Pakistan.

Expressing concern over depleting coal reserves, Mr. Badal said that time has come that country should exploit the Hydel power potential to its full capacity. He said that hardly 20% Hydel potential is being exploited. Mr. Badal also suggested that Union government should take initiative of facilitating gas pipeline from Iran and Kazakhstan through Pakistan to northern states and this could solve the energy crisis of whole country.

 Focusing on strengthing of transmission and distribution network, Mr. Badal said that Punjab besides increasing generation capacity has also invested Rs. 3900 crore on strengthening transmission and distribution network that included construction of 1003 grid sub-stations with total installed capacity of 49705 MVA besides laying 22216 kilometer transmission lines. He said that as number of electricity consumers, which were presently 63.73 lakh, are expected to rise to 97.33 lakh, we have already geared up for future challenges. He said that total connected load in next two years is going to double and Punjab Government by bringing out electricity meters outside homes has been able to bring down the T&D losses from 22.53 % to 17.7% and was focusing to further bring it down to 14.75 % in next two years.

 Assuring world class power supply network, Mr. Badal said that Punjab would be the first state to have 400 KV ring main system with GIS mapping of all 132 KV and 220 KV sub-stations.

 Focusing on renewable energy sector, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was focusing on generating 500 MW power from Biomass sector besides giving power to the state, gives the financial benefit of Rs. 4000 per acre to the farmers. He announced that Punjab is coming out with a New Solar Policy to encourage entrepreneurs in this new field. Mr. Badal said that besides saving energy by encouraging people to shift to CFL the Punjab has adopted ESCO model for installing LED street lights in all 142 towns of the state.

 On this occasion, Mr. Debashish Mazumdar, Chairman, Regional Committee on Power Reforms and Renewable Energy, Mr. Praveer Sinha, Conference Chairman and Co-Chairman, Regional Committee on Power Reforms and Renewable Energy, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, Power Minister of Haryana and Mr. D.L. Sharma, Vice Chairman, CII, Punjab State Council and Director Vardhman Textile Ltd also gave their presentations.