New Delhi, Nov 14 (KNN) Eyeing to provide relief to industries from power tariff hike , Punjab government has decided to change the power procurement and distribution framework.The power department has devised plans to buy cheaper electricity from other generators, sell the surplus power and produce more electricity through hydro, solar and wind power at lower rate.

The  department has taken  decision to shut down 
obsolete power generation plants and set up its own ultra critical power generation plant at Ropar.

Punjab incurred  cost of Rs. 3.97 per unit on its own power production in 2016-17 and in the first six months of 2017-18 the cost  has been reduced to Rs 3.84 per unit.

Punjab has  partnered with the Solar Energy Corporation of India to produce 250 MW through wind power at Rs 2.60 per unit. The state will buy 200 MW through hydro power from the Kancham Wangtoo project in Himachal Pradesh at Rs 3.50 per unit.

Venu Prasad, Chairman of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in a press interview said that power generation curve of Kancham Wangtoo matches the  demand curve of Punjab and the maximum power will be supplied to Punjab during the peak demand months of June to September .

The chairman also said that  this year, 220.78 million units of power (April- September) has been sold to other states at Rs 3.93 per unit which is  much higher than Rs 3.13 per unit the rate at which it was sold last year. (KNN/AG)