Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the National Convenor of AAP, Arvind Kejriwal, marked a significant moment for the state by dedicating the Goindwal Sahib Thermal Plant to the public on Sunday. This thermal plant, recently acquired by the Punjab government from the private company Jindal Power for INR 1,080 crores, holds a capacity of 540 megawatts and is named the Shri Guru Amar Das Thermal Plant.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Tarn Taran, witnessed the active participation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who emphasized the government’s commitment to contributing surplus electricity to the grid. By utilizing coal from Punjab’s coal mines in Jharkhand, the plant aims to provide affordable electricity to the people of Punjab and support the industrial sector with discounted power.
The Goindwal Sahib Thermal Plant was previously under the ownership of the private company Jindal Power, selling electricity at a relatively high rate of 9-10 rupees per unit. With the government taking control, the cost is expected to reduce significantly, making electricity available at a more affordable rate of 4-5 rupees per unit.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s active involvement in the inauguration showcased his strong support for the initiative, anticipating substantial annual savings of around 300 crores for Punjab. The plant’s strategic use of coal from the Pachwara mine in Jharkhand is expected to contribute to reduced electricity production expenses. The current cost of electricity production in the thermal plant stands at approximately 3.98 rupees per unit, with future optimizations anticipated to bring it down further to 3.40 rupees per unit. This forward-looking initiative is poised to bring significant annual savings to Punjab, positively impacting the state’s economic landscape.
The extensive project, spanning 1100 acres, has already utilized 700 acres for construction, with the remaining 400 acres earmarked for future developments. The successful inauguration of the Goindwal Sahib Thermal Plant marks a crucial milestone for Punjab’s energy sector, positioning the state for a more sustainable and cost-effective future.