Punjab’s power regulator — the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) — has given its nod to the procurement of additional coal for 1980 mega watt (MW) Talwandi Sabo thermal plant from alternate sources through competitive bidding. Deciding a petition in this matter, the PSERC has approved that the cost of additional coal purchased indigenously through competitive bidding or through import from alternate sources shall be “passed on to power consumers of Punjab” as per Power Purchase Agreement. With this move, the State residents are expected to bear the brunt as the generation cost from the project is likely to be increased by 25 to 30 paise per unit. Similar increase in cost is already being charged by the National Thermal Power Corp plants from the State power consumers as it is already using imported coal. The PSERC has constituted a standing committee of Power Secretary, Punjab state Power Corporation limited (PSPCl) chairman-cum-managing director, and chief operating officer of Talwandi Sabo Power limited to resolve disputes and determine cost of coal to be paid.