Chandigarh, June 8 -- The Centre has approved the setting up of three 800 MW supercritical thermal plants in Punjab. While the two plants will replace the existing 210MW unit in Ropar, the third will be set up by a private player at a location yet to be decided.

The last power plant to be established in the state was the Lehra Mohabbat in 1992, which was commissioned in 1997. It was also the first power plant in the state sector.

The present power availability in the state from all the resources, including drawl from the northern grid, is around 16,800 MW, and the maximum power demand in the current paddy season is likely to exceed 17,000 MW. Punjab has sought 1,000 MW of power from the Union Government in view of the paddy season.

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