From a loss-making public sector undertaking struggling to pay its employees in 2019, West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) has scripted a turnaround to become the best performing power generation corporation in the country.
State-run WBPDCL’s three thermal power plants have established themselves in the top five ranks in terms of performance and efficiency (as measured by Plant Load Factor or PLF). This is according to a list published by the Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power.
WBPDCL’s Bakreshwar power plant has secured the top position (PLF of 92.38%) among 205 plants operating in the country, according to an official press statement. Santaldih plant was ranked second (PLF of 91.37%) and Sagardighi plant was ranked fifth (PLF of 89.39%) at the national level.
WBPDCL, which has been rated as the best power generation corporation in the country, is way ahead of Central Power Sector Undertakings like NTPC (3rd), DVC etc. and Reliance Power (Sasan at 12th), Neyveli Lignite Corporation (at) Is. 16), Adani Power (Dhanu at 35) and Tata Power (Jojobera at 15).
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also welcomed the development and termed it as a very proud moment for the state. “WBPDCL has set a new benchmark in power generation, with its power plants topping the country’s PLF rankings. Bakreshwar TPS (Thermal Power Station) ranks first, followed by Santaldih TPS and Sagardighi TPS at second and fifth positions respectively,” he tweeted earlier this week.
In the financial year 2022-23, WBPDCL recorded a record gross generation of 31.85 billion units to become the best performing power corporation in the country, with a growth of 26.81% over the previous two years.
WBPDCL Chairman and Managing Director, PB Saleem, who took charge in 2019, said the transformation was achieved by adopting best operation and maintenance practices and several imaginative human development and welfare measures, which improved the operational and financial performance of the organisation. ,
A WBPDCL official said that preventing theft and avoidable losses was also a focus area and by improving efficiency and performance, the total power generation increased by 26%, providing an additional six billion units of additional electricity for sale.
WBPDCL has been able to reduce the cost of power generation by about 80 paise per unit from about Rs.4.2 per unit to about Rs.3.4 per unit.