Conceptualised by Punjab State Electrcity Board (PSEB),The first unit of 660 MW of Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL),the largest private sector investment in Punjab,is scheduled to go on stream shortly. Official sources in Punjab Government told that "the proposed 1980 MW (3x660 MW) supercritical thermal power plant is being set up at village Banawala in Mansa district. This power plant project will be the first of its kind hi-tech and non-polluting plant in the state of Punjab and will probably be the greenest power plant in the country. All the 1980 MW power generated at TSPL will be supplied to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL)". Apart from being the largest private sector investment in the state of Punjab,TSPL would also bring in a multiplier effect into the economy of the state. TSPL alone would be able to generate employment of thousands of people in associated works of the power project and the new industries that will come up in Punjab,as it becomes a power surplus state. It will also enable PSPCL to supply continuous power,making life comfortable for the people of Punjab,particularly during peak summer months. TSPL has selected super critical technology which is better than the sub-critical technology because it provides higher efficiency,reduction in the fuel cost,reduction in water requirement by 25%,single unit capacity of 660 MW and above and higher capacity means low capital investment per MW,which makes the power plant cost effective and enable to provide affordable power compared to costly merchant power. The continuous supply of power to the farmers will help in the development of the agricultural sector and higher productivity. The plant will undoubtedly give a boost to the industrial sector in the state as well,which is currently undergoing severe crisis due to acute shortage of power. Presently two to three days a week power cuts are routinely undertaken for Industrial sector,and with commissioning of the power plant,the industrial sector will benefit the most as scheduled long hours of power cuts would vanish. The industries in the Ludhiana belt,presently in critical condition due to acute shortage of electricity suffer huge production loss,which will be mitigated to a great extent with commissioning of the new power plants in the state this year. Ultimately this shall put an end to the usage of diesel gensets in the state which will greatly reduce the pollution and also lessen the burden on the exchequer as the dependence on subsidized diesel to produce power will reduce. TSPL is dedicated towards building a greener environment by adopting appropriate technology and continuous monitoring measures. All the efforts are directed towards sustainable growth. The commissioning of the power plant at Talwandi Sabo would bring in a new era of rapid growth and development to the state of Punjab said the company spokesperson. The enhanced employment,not only in the power project but also in the agriculture as well as industrial sector will benefit the state in a big way. The growth of industrial sector would ultimately result in increased direct and indirect tax revenue to the government,thereby multiplying the growth to the social sector as well. The list of benefits does not end here because even the immigration will reduce as there will be better opportunities available in Punjab. Even,industries considering relocation to Baddi in Himachal due to huge production loss would continue to thrive in Punjab and more industries are likely to come up in the state,as continuous power supply is assured. And,last but not the least,the proposed power plant will help Punjab become an energy surplus state,and PSPCL seems poised to be a major player in merchant power in the country in the coming years.
