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ShareNew Delhi: With adequate coal linkages for coal-based power plants difficult to provide, the government has started betting on gas to meet its capacity addition targets. So much so, the ministry of power plans to increase gas-based power production by over 50% in the 12th Plan period.
"We are finding it difficult to increase coal availability for our power plants and a lot of plants are running on very low plant load factor. Since we have an increased amount of gas production in India now, the power sector should focus on producing energy from gas," Rakesh Nath, chairperson, Central electricity Authority (CEA) said.
At 16,448.85 mw, gas-based power production in the country currently accounts for over 10% of the total installed capacity in India.
The government plans to increase this capacity to 25,000 mw by the end of the 12th Plan period, amounting to an increase of around 52%, said Nath.
The ministry of power has formed a committee that is exploring the possibility of promoting gas-based power production. The committee has submitted a draft proposal suggesting additional allocation of 90 million standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd) of gas during the 12th Plan.
As per the latest report prepared by CEA, 50 of the 81 thermal power plants in the country had stocks for less than 7 days in September. This is the highest number of plants having stocks below the critical level in recent times.
NTPC, the country's largest power generator, had to close two coal-based power plants due to non-availability of coal recently. NTPC, which accounts for 20% of total power production, is also looking at increasing the share of gas-based power production in the 12th Plan.
India's total installed capacity stands at 1,52,360.09 mw and the government aims to add 78,700 mw by the end of the 11th Plan. However, due to lack of coal supply and other infrastructure bottlenecks, only 18,235 mw has been installed in the first three years of the plan period.
The ministry of finance has expressed concerns over the slow capacity addition, which is hindering India's growth prospects. An empowered group of ministers headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee recently allocated over 50% of the total gas production of 60 mmscmd from KG-D6 basin to the power sector.
