Government to operationalize Gas based Power Plants to meet Summer Electricity Demand
Section 11 Directions issued to ensure Maximum Power Generation from Gas-based
Generating Stations
In order to help meet the
high electricity demand in the country during the summer season, the Government
of India has decided to operationalize gas-based power plants. To ensure
maximum power generation from Gas-Based Generating Stations, the Government has
issued directions to all Gas-Based Generating Stations under Section 11 of the
Electricity Act, 2003 (under which the appropriate government may specify that
a generating company shall, in extraordinary circumstances operate and maintain
any generating station in accordance with the directions of that Government).
A
significant portion of the Gas-Based Generating Stations (GBSs) is currently
unutilized, primarily due to commercial considerations. The order under Section
11, which is on similar lines as done for imported-coal-based power plants,
aims to optimise the availability of power from Gas-Based Generating Stations
during the ensuing high demand period. The order shall remain valid for
generation and supply of power from May 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024. The order can
be accessed here.
GRID-INDIA to inform Gas-based Generating
Stations of Power Requirement
As
per the arrangement, GRID-INDIA will
inform the Gas-based Generating Stations in advance, of the number of days for
which Gas-based power is required. Gas-Based Generating Stations holding Power
Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Distribution Licensees shall first offer their
power to PPA holders. If the power offered is not utilised by any PPA holder,
then it shall be offered in the power market. Gas-Based Generating Stations not
tied to PPAs must offer their generation in the power market. A high-level
committee headed by Chairperson, Central
Electricity Authority has
been constituted to facilitate the implementation of this direction.
The
decision to operationalize gas-based generating stations is part of a series of
measures taken by the Government of India, to ensure that the electricity
demand in the summer season is met. The Union Minister for Power and New &
Renewable Energy RK Singh held a series of meetings on this,
emphasizing the need for ensuring adequate availability of power to meet the
load during the hot-weather season.
Other Measures to Meet Summer Electricity Demand
The
government has taken the following measures to meet the summer demand, apart
from the decision on gas-based generating stations:
· Planned Maintenance of Power Plants to be
shifted to Monsoon Season
· New Capacity Additions to be Speeded up
· Partial Outages of Thermal Power Plants being
brought down
· Surplus Power with Captive Generating Stations
to be Utilized
· Surplus Power to be offered for sale in Energy
Exchange
· Section 11 Directions for Imported-Coal-Based
Power Plants, to make full capacity available for generation
· Shifting of hydro power generation to peak hours
· Advance planning by all stakeholders to ensure
coal availability
India's
electricity demand has been rising rapidly, driven by economic growth,
particularly during hot-weather and high-demand periods. The Indian
Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures
over most parts of the country during the 2024 hot weather season. The above
measures are being taken in this context, in anticipation of the high
electricity demand during the season.