Ageing Ropar thermal plant units trip 22 times in 40 days

Ropar thermal plant units have faced emergency shutdowns 22 times in the past 40 days, crippling power generation operations with the outages lasting for an accumulated 515 hours since June 14.

According to a report by Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC), this constituted the maximum number of outages faced by any thermal plant in the state, with only 13 such instances reported from other plants, including the ones being operated by private players.

The Talwandi Sabo thermal plant, being maintained by a private player, stood a distant second with only five such instances. It was followed by the state-run Lehra Mohabbat and Govindwal thermal plants, where the units tripped four and three times, respectively.

Only once such instance was witnessed at the Rajpura plant, according to the report, which put the total number of such instances at 35 from June 14 to July 24. The 840-MW Ropar plant has four units.

According to sources, frequent outages at the aging power generation units of the Ropar thermal plant forced the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to buy electricity from other states through the northern grid. The Chief Engineer at the Ropar plant, Harish Kumar Sharma, said all four turbines there were about 35-year-old and had outlived their prescribed life.

He said most shutdowns were caused due to boiler tube leakage. “The PSPCL is in the process of awarding a Rs 107 crore contract to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) solve the problem,” he said.

‘Outlived its life’

The Chief Engineer said though the plant had outlived its life, they were getting a study conducted to extend it life till at least 2031-32. “The feasibility of installing two turbines capable of generating 800 MW power each is considered. It would increase the power generation capacity by 1,600 MW,” he said.

PPCB urged to reconsider withdrawal of consent

The issue has come to light days after the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) imposed Rs 5 crore fine on the plant, being operated by the PSPCL, for the violation of environmental laws.

In an order dated July 7, the pollution control board had also withdrawn the consent to operate the plant, after which the plant authorities can’t buy coal.

Sharma said they had filed a review petition before the chairman of the board, seeking to stay the order.

Punjab