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 PLANT:
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.
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