Shift focus to solar power, PSPCL told

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 8

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday asked the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to go for clean and green power at a competitive price to consumers.

Chairing a meeting with (PSPCL officials, the Chief Minister said 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.

A Venu Prasad, CMD, PSPCL, informed the Chief Minister that the power corporation had floated two tenders for procurement of 500 MW solar power. Of this, 250 MW is planned to be procured from solar power projects located anywhere in India with a ceiling tariff of Rs 2.50/Kwh. Besides, another 250 MW of solar power would be purchased from 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.

Briefed on coal stock situation

• Briefing the Chief Minister about the current coal shortages in the power plants in the state, CMD A Venu Prasad said the situation was prevalent across all the thermal power plants in India due to less production by the Coal India Limited
• He explained how with great difficultly the power was being managed by the PSPCL

Briefing the Chief Minister about the current coal shortages in the power plants in the state, the CMD said the situation was prevalent across all the thermal power plants in India due to less production by the Coal India Limited. He further explained how with great difficultly the power was being managed by the PSPCL. “All possible avenues are being explored to supply uninterrupted and quality power to the people of the state,” said Venu Prasad.