News Excerpt:
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.
More about the news:
- 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 Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 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 is on similar lines as done for imported-coal-based power plants.
- It aims to optimize the availability of power from Gas-Based Generating Stations during the ensuing high-demand period.
- The order shall remain valid for the generation and supply of power from May 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024.
- 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.
Why was the order passed?
- The decision to operationalize gas-based generating stations is part of a series of measures taken by the Government, to ensure that the electricity demand in the summer season is met.
- 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.
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 Utilised
- 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 hydropower generation to peak hours
- Advance planning by all stakeholders to ensure coal availability
GRID-INDIA:
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