Ropar Thermal Power Plant: Aged Infrastructure Sparks Frequent Shutdowns, Raises Power Security Concerns
The Ropar thermal power plant in Punjab has made headlines for an alarming rise in emergency shutdowns, spotlighting systemic challenges facing India’s aging public-sector power infrastructure. According to a recent Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC) report, Ropar’s four-decade-old turbines have tripped 22 times in just 40 days—a figure that dwarfs the outage rates at every other major plant in Punjab.
515 Hours of Downtime in 40 Days
Between June 14 and July 24, the Ropar thermal units were offline for a cumulative 515 hours. These repeated shutdowns have destabilized electricity supply, forcing Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to purchase electricity from the northern grid at significantly higher market rates.
Why So Many Outages?
Chief Engineer Harish Kumar Sharma has acknowledged that all four turbines at the 840-MW plant have “outlived their prescribed life,” with most outages attributed to boiler tube leakages. To address this, PSPCL is preparing to award a ₹107 crore contract to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for permanent repairs.
Plans for Renewal—and Expansion
Despite the plant’s advanced age, PSPCL is commissioning studies to extend its operational life to at least 2031-32. There is also consideration of a massive expansion by installing two new turbines, each with an 800MW capacity. This move could boost the plant’s capacity by 1,600MW, making it a potential powerhouse for Punjab’s future energy needs.
Regulatory Pressure and Pollution Woes
The plant’s troubles don’t stop at mechanical failures. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) recently slapped a ₹5 crore fine on the plant for environmental violations and even withdrew its operating consent on July 7—essentially cutting off its ability to purchase coal. PSPCL has since filed a review petition, hoping to stay the enforcement of the PPCB order.
What Lies Ahead?
As Punjab weighs the costs of refurbishing overhauls against closing aged plants, Ropar’s predicament underscores the urgency of upgrading critical infrastructure and enforcing environmental standards. All eyes are now on regulatory decisions, PSPCL’s repair commitments, and the potential pivot to new generation units that could redefine the state’s energy journey.
Key Takeaways:
- Ropar plant tripped 22 times in 40 days—the worst in Punjab’s grid.
- Outages totaled 515 hours between mid-June and late July.
- Turbines are 35+ years old and have outlived their design life.
- PPCB imposed a ₹5 crore fine, and withdrew operating consent over pollution concerns.
- PSPCL is considering major repairs and adding new high-capacity turbines.
This story highlights the challenges of balancing legacy infrastructure, environmental compliance, and energy security in fast-growing regions like Punjab.
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