Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant achieves historic milestone

Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant (GGSSTP), Ropar—one of Punjab’s oldest power generating stations has achieved a significant performance milestone. Despite being over 36 years old, the plant’s units have demonstrated exceptional improvement in operational efficiency, reliability, and output during the Financial Year 2024-25.

Giving this information in a statement here today, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO informed that GGSSTP’s performance in FY 2024-25 has been its best in the last decade. He said key indicators such as Gross Generation, Plant Load Factor (PLF), Heat Rate, and Thermal Efficiency have shown remarkable growth. The minister added that the optimum performance has been achieved with the strategic planning, timely maintenance and optimised operational practices ensured by the Punjab Government.

The minister said that the gross generation from the existing four operational units reached 4553.72 Million Units (MU)—the highest since FY 2015-16, a time when all six units were operational. The PLF for FY 2024-25 stood at 61.88%, the highest achieved since FY 2014-15.

He also stated that the plant has also made substantial gains in operational reliability. Specific coal consumption improved from 687 g/kWh to 652 g/kWh, resulting in a notable reduction in Station Heat Rate from 2829 kCal/kWh in FY 2023-24 to 2666 kCal/kWh in FY 2024-25 marking a 5.75% improvement. Consequently, GGSSTP achieved a thermal efficiency of 32.25% in FY 2024-25, up from 30.40% in the previous year.

He added that reviving the efficiency of older thermal units is a testament to the tireless efforts and commitment of the GGSSTP team to serve the community, with consistent efforts and hard work, we have ensured that essential services continued without disruption during the paddy season of FY 2024-25.

Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO also informed that GGSSTP had achieved a significant reduction

in specific oil consumption through onsite training programs and specialized training at Dhanu Institute, Maharashtra, for Desk Operators. Specific oil consumption dropped from 2.00 ml/kWh in FY 2023-24 to 1.05 ml/kWh in FY 2024-25, resulting in savings of approximately Rs. 27 crores.

Power Minister said in alignment with the prevailing norms for burning 3% biomass fuel in thermal plants during FY 2024-25, GGSSTP successfully overcame technical and logistical challenges to feed biomass pellets using its existing infrastructure and manpower. This achievement not only fulfilled the target set by CEA and the SAMARTH initiative of the Government of India but also played a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of stubble burning. Notably, 94,935 MT pellets used during FY 2024-25 were sourced from Punjab farmers, setting a new benchmark in sustainable energy practices and helping reduce carbon emissions that would otherwise have been generated by burning an equivalent amount of coal.

He also informed that smooth and uninterrupted operation of GGSSTP during the peak paddy season had been ensuredand consistent efforts were being made by the entire GGSSTP team, to maintain service quality and reliability. Looking to the future, the Minister said focused steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted operation of GGSSTP units.

He added Rs. 108 Crores have been approved for the procurement and installation of new reheaters.For which purchase order has been also been placed with M/s Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) for all units. Upon installation, these reheaters are expected to significantly ensure better and uninterrupted power supply for the state.