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Power
The amount of power consumed in a country is an index
of its technological development. The progress of all sector of the economy
is proportional to the availability of power. Hydro-electric power is
the main source on which most nations depend. Hydro-electric power is
needed for turning the wheels of industries, for transportation, for carrying
on agricultural operations and for keeping the hearths and homes warm.
Power Availability
Thirty-seven percent of the power came from the common
pool projects and the rest from its own projects. About 27 percent of
the total energy of the state is provided by the Ropar Thermal Plant while
the Bhakra Nangal complex provided 20.3 percent of the total power for
the state and the Guru Nanak Thermal plant at Bhatinda accounts for about
21 percent of the energy to the state. Other important sources of power
are the Dehar Power plant (13 percent), Shanan Power house at Joginder
Nagar (5 percent), Pong Power project (4percent) and UBDC power houses
(2 percent).
The common pool projects are the Bhakra Nangal Complex,
the Dehar Power plant and the Pong Power plant. Punjab shares about 51
percent of the Power generated from the Bhakra Nangal Complex. 48 percent
from the Power generated at the Pong Project.
a. Bhakra Nangal Complex: The Bhakra Nangal project
is the most prestigious hydro-electric project of India which harnesses
the waters of river Sutlej. The Bhakra Nangal project not only provides
electric power to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan but also to common pool
consumers like the Nangal fertilizer factory, the Delhi Electric Supply
undertaking, to Himachal Pradesh and to Jammu and Kashmir.
b. The Upper Bari Doab Canal System (UBDC): Constructed
on River Ravi, north of Pathankot, is the second source of hydroelectricity
for the state.
c. The Shanan Power House: This power house is
installed on River Ohel and is situated at Joginder Nagar in Himachal
Pradesh.
Thermal Electricity
In Punjab there are two big thermal plants:
a. Guru Nanak Thermal Plants: It was completed
in 1974. The Guru Nanak Thermal plant has four units of 440 MW capacity.
This is one of the most efficiently run thermal plants in the country.
b. Ropar Thermal Plant: The Ropar Thermal project
is located at a distance of 11 kilometers from the Ropar- Nagal highway.
This project consists of two units capable of generating 210 MW each.
The plant is spread over an area of about 2,500 acres on the banks of
River Sutlej. |
