Government to operate gas based power plants to meet summer power demand
The Government of India will operate gas based power plants to help meet summer electricity demand. The government issued instructions under Section 11 to ensure maximum power generation from gas-based generating stations.
Gas based power plants will meet the electricity demand
In a hot tropical country like India, the demand for electricity is high during the summer season. Therefore the government has decided to start gas based power plants to help meet the high demand for electricity.
Instructions issued by the government under section 11
The government has issued instructions to all gas-based generating stations under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003. So that maximum power generation can be ensured from gas-based generating stations. For this, a power generation company, in exceptional circumstances, will operate and maintain any generating station as per the instructions of the government.
Current status of GBS
At present a significant portion of gas-based generating stations (GBS) are not in use, mainly due to commercial reasons. The instructions issued by the government under Section 11 are the same as for imported-coal-fired power plants. Its main objective is to supplement the availability of power from gas-based generating stations in the coming summer months. The government order will be valid for power generation and supply from May 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.
Information about power requirement
Grid-India will inform the power requirement of gas based generating stations as per the methodology specified by the Government. Grid-India will inform the station for how many days the gas-based power is required. Gas-based generating stations holding power purchase agreements (PPAs) will be the first to offer their power to PPA holders. If this power is not utilized by a PPA holder, it will be offered in the market. A high level committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority, which will facilitate the implementation of this directive.
Other measures to meet summer electricity demand
To meet the summer power requirement, the Government has taken other measures as per the decision on gas based generating stations:
- Shifting planned maintenance of power plants to the monsoon season.
- Accelerating new capacity additions.
- Minimizing partial outages of thermal power plants.
- Utilization of surplus power with captive generating stations.
- Offering excess electricity for sale on an energy exchange.
- Using Section 11 instructions for imported coal based power plants to provide generation at full capacity.
- Shifting hydropower generation to peak hours.
- Advance planning by all stakeholders to ensure availability of coal.
Heat in india this year
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the heat will be above normal in most parts of India this year (in 2024). Therefore, the Government is taking the above mentioned measures keeping in mind the possibility of higher power demand during summer.
About Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
- IMD is the premier agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Established: 1844
- Name change: 1875
- Director General: Mritunjay Mahapatra
New Delhi.
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