PUNJAB CM ASKS PSPCL TO GO FOR COST EFFECTIVE, CLEANER AND GREENER POWER TO ENSURE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
MOVE TO ADDRESS RISING POWER DEMAND AND PROMOTING RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY
Chandigarh, October 8:
In line with the commitment to provide quality power to the consumers across the State, the Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday asked PSPCL to go for clean and green power at a competitive price.
Chairing a meeting with the officials Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on power sector issues, the Chief Minister said that the solar power being cost effective and reliable besides clean and green source of energy would go a long way in ensuring a healthy and pollution free environment.
The CMD/PSPCL A. Venu Prasad apprised the Chief Minister that PSPCL has floated two tenders for procurement of total 500 MW Solar Power. Out of this, 250 MW Solar Power is planned to be procured from Solar Power Projects located anywhere in India with ceiling tariff of Rs.2.50/Kwh. Apart from this, another 250 MW of Solar Power would be purchased from Solar Power Projects located anywhere in Punjab with ceiling tariff of Rs.2.70/Kwh, said the CMD adding the move would meet the rising demand of power in Punjab and simultaneously develop and promote Renewable Sources of Energy.
Briefing the Chief Minister about the current coal shortages in the power plants in the State, the CMD said that the situation is prevalent across all the Thermal power Plants in India due to less production of Coal by Coal India Limited. He further explained how with a great difficultly the power is being managed by PSPCL. “All possible avenues are being explored to supply uninterrupted and quality power to the people of the State”, added Venu Prasad.
Notably, the PSPCL is also endeavoring to sign an MoU with EESL for development of 140 MW Solar PV power projects at vacant spare land of 66 KV Substations of PSPCL to increase the share of clean, green and low tariff Renewable Power.
