Six gas-based power plants idling in Andhra Pradesh

The power situation in Andhra Pradesh has worsened with all the six gas-based generation plants, including those of GMR, GVK and Lanco, shutting down operations due to lack of gas availability.

All the units depending on gas from Reliance’s Krishna-Godavari D6 basin have stopped receiving supplies from March 1, 2013, resulting in the shutdown of about 2,000 mw capacity.

Till recently, the gas-based plants were receiving natural gas of about 6.43 million metric standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd) against the total requirement of 13.65 mmscmd, leaving a deficit of around 7.22 mmscmd.

This shortage had already idled 1,600 mw capacity. Now with the complete D6 supply halt, the entire 2,000 mw capacity has become idle.

This is apart from the fresh capacities of about 2,000 mw awaiting gas allocation.

According to sources, the water and sand ingress into the wells in Reliance’s D6 had significantly reduced gas production. The proportionate allotment of gas to the fertiliser units followed by power projects has resulted in the drying up of supplies to the gas-based projects.

“We are not hopeful of any improvement in situation, at least going by the current situation. Though there are assurances from many sides that the supplies would be restored, we have not heard anything from the supplier so far. The situation is extremely disappointing,” a source associated with a power producer said.

The gas-based units of GMR, GVK and Lanco have taken the hit. However, some of the units of Lanco and GVK are still operational, though at significantly lower plant load factors, since they depend on gas supplies from ONGC or Gail India.

The stoppage of these gas-based projects has resulted in steep power cuts across the state. While the political compulsions have been forcing the government to impose less load shedding for the domestic consumers, the industry is the worst hit. There is already a 12-day a month power holiday for the industry and there are said to be unofficial power cuts for the industry as well. According to sources, despite the government announcing three-hour power shutdown for the domestic consumers, the rural parts have been witnessing 12-18 hour power shutdown per day.

However, the officials of the Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation (AP Transco) said the power crisis would ease once the Rabi season ends after April.

“Even if we want to buy and supply from the open market, the availability is not more than 1,000 mw. However, there is an attempt to encourage the producers to use RLNG and we are hopeful of additional supplies becoming available shortly,” an official said.

@ramanakv