In a significant milestone for Punjab’s power generation landscape, the Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant (GGSSTP) at Ropar has recorded its best performance in over a decade. Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Sunday lauded the plant’s exceptional turnaround in operational efficiency and sustainability during the Financial Year 2024–25, crediting it to the strategic leadership of the Punjab Government and the relentless efforts of the GGSSTP team.
Despite being over 36 years old, the state-run thermal plant has emerged as a model of revival, recording the highest Plant Load Factor (PLF) since 2014-15. “GGSSTP’s PLF for FY 2024-25 stood at an impressive 61.88 percent, a significant leap reflecting enhanced operational output and reliability,” said the Power Minister. He further noted that the gross generation from its four operational units touched 4553.72 million units (MU) — the highest generation since 2015-16, when all six units were still functional.
Highlighting efficiency gains, Minister Harbhajan Singh said that GGSSTP achieved substantial improvements across key parameters, including Station Heat Rate, specific coal and oil consumption, and thermal efficiency. “The Station Heat Rate has dropped from 2829 kCal/kWh in FY 2023-24 to 2666 kCal/kWh in FY 2024–25, marking a 5.75 percent improvement. This has directly contributed to an increase in thermal efficiency from 30.40 percent to 32.25 percent,” he said.
In a notable cost-saving measure, specific oil consumption was slashed nearly by half — from 2.00 ml/kWh to 1.05 ml/kWh — through targeted training of desk operators. Specialized sessions conducted onsite and at Dhanu Institute in Maharashtra significantly upskilled plant personnel. “This achievement has resulted in a direct saving of approximately Rs 27 crore,” the Minister said.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to environmentally responsible energy production, Harbhajan Singh pointed out that GGSSTP successfully integrated biomass pellets into its fuel mix — meeting the Centre's mandate to burn three percent biomass in coal-based thermal plants. “Despite facing technical and logistical hurdles, the plant managed to utilize 94,935 metric tonnes of biomass pellets, sourced entirely from Punjab’s farmers. This not only helped mitigate stubble burning but also reduced the plant’s carbon footprint,” he said.
The use of biomass was in line with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) guidelines and the SAMARTH initiative of the Government of India, marking a significant step towards greener power generation. “This initiative alone showcases how legacy infrastructure can be aligned with modern environmental goals,” the Minister added.
GGSSTP also played a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted power supply during the peak paddy season — a period of high electricity demand. The Minister credited the plant’s consistent performance to timely maintenance, strategic planning, and round-the-clock dedication by the operational teams.
Looking ahead, the Power Minister said that focused investments were being made to further enhance the plant’s output and reliability. “We’ve approved Rs 108 crore for the procurement and installation of new reheaters for all operational units. A purchase order has been placed with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), and once installed, these will help ensure seamless power supply across the state,” Harbhajan Singh announced.