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