Gas-based plants told to run ops in May, June to meet power demand

New Delhi, April 13

The government has directed all gas-based power-generating stations to operationalise their plants from May 1 to June 30 in view of a rise in the electricity demand due to a likely prolonged heat wave this summer.

260 GW demand projected

The ministry has projected 260 GW peak power demand this summer (April to June) The power demand had touched an all-time high of 243 GW in September last year

A significant portion of gas-based generating stations is currently unutilised, primarily due to commercial considerations. The ministry has projected 260 GW peak power demand this summer (April to June). The peak power demand had touched an all-time high of 243 GW in September last year.

The decision to operationalise gas-based power-generating stations is part of a series of measures taken by the Centre to ensure that the electricity demand in the summer is met. According to a Power Ministry statement, the order shall remain valid for the generation and supply of electricity from May 1 to June 30.

“To ensure the maximum power generation from gas-based generating stations, the government has issued directions to all such 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,” the statement said.

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 power-generating stations during the high-demand period. The India Meteorological Department has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country this summer.