PSEB Engineers Association requested CM to reconsider its decision on GNDTP land transfer to PUDA
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in/ Patiala
PSEB Engineers Association has written a letter to chief minister of Punjab Capt Amarinder Singh to reconsider the decision of “Techno-Commercial Aspects of GNDTP before Land Transfer to PUDA”.
In a letter signed by PSEB Engineers Association general secretary Er Ajay Pal Singh Atwal read” Electricity is one of the most vital tools for the economic development of any state. To sustain economic growth, matching growth of generation capacity is the primary requirement. Till 1995, Punjab was comfortable on the power front with availability more than the demand and was slightly deficit from 1995 to 2000 but thereafter, the electricity availability in Punjab lagged behind the requirement. There was some capacity addition in the state sector up to 2007. Subsequently, due to the policy lapse resulting from failure to plan for capacity addition in a planned and systematic manner, Punjab had to meet its growing energy requirement by resorting to extra short term power purchase at exorbitant rates leading to financial crunch. This financial crunch was then taken as the ground for not adding capacity to meet future energy requirements. PSEB Engineers’ Association during this period repeatedly highlighted the pitfalls of the policy of not adding adequate capacity in the state sector but the policy makers ignored our professional advice. Now, the state is facing the consequences of depending totally on the private sector for capacity addition and the economic cost of this policy is being borne by the consumers of the state through higher tariff.”
Association further said that “we want to bring to your notice another flawed policy being adopted regarding meeting with RPO (Renewable purchase obligation) of the state. There is a net shortfall of Renewable power purchase obligation by Punjab. In 2017-18 & 2018-19, the net shortfall was about 848.42 MU & 557.88 MU respectively. For the year 2018-19, Punjab has paid about Rs. 90 crore to purchase RE certificates due to shortage in the purchase of targeted Renewable power as mandated by PSERC and 2019-20 there was a proposal to purchase RE certificates of Rs. 316.52 crore. The purchase of RE certificates means that we are paying to other state generators without receiving any power. It is worthwhile to mention here that PSERC has given targets for purchase of Renewable Power far less than the MoP, GoI, trajectory of 17.50 % (7.25 % from solar and 10.25 % from non-solar) of renewable energy and in future, the targets may be upscaled in view of India pledging that by 2030, 40% of its generation capacity will be based on non fossil fuel based resources. This means that in future we may have to purchase even more RE certificates than present level. Sir, Association is of the view that it is the right time to invest in Renewable power else Punjab will be paying crores for purchase of RE certificates in future and requests you to go through following proposals to increase state’s share in renewable power. It is pertinent to mention here that even if we exceed our target, we can sell RE certificates to other states.”
Requesting further they said “ PSPCL has already proposed to convert existing Unit No 4 of GNDTP Bathinda to 60 MW biomass plant and to set up 100 MW solar plant at GNDTP Bathinda. The proposal was sent to the GOP in 2018 and the same has been rejected without its evaluation and as the GOP has decided to set up an industrial park at the site. Association is of the firm view that there is ample scope to set up industrial park at any alternate site. Setting up a biomass plant & solar plant at the site of GNDTP Bathinda is more technically feasible and economically viable in view of available infrastructure and site conditions. For the above activities only about 600 acres of land will be required, that already has the requisite infrastructure in place. This will ensure proper utilisation of the land for the purpose for which it was originally acquired. Remaining land pool can be used for future expansion of the solar power plant to meet with the growing demand for renewable energy.”
Finally they said “keeping in view the interests of electricity consumers of the State, interests of the farmers, employment to the youth, State Power Sector, State’s commitment to providing low cost renewable energy & obligation to the environment, Association appeals your goodself to reconsider GoP decision and accord approval to Set up a 100 MW Solar power plant and 60 MW biomass project at GNDTP under State Sector.”
July,12,2020
