CEA notifies draft flexible operation of thermal power plants Regulations, 2022

The CEA has notified the draft Flexible Operation of Thermal Power Plants Regulations, 2022. The regulations will apply to all coal- and lignite-based thermal power plants (TPPs) and load despatch centres (LDCs). As per the draft, all TPPs will be capable of providing the required output as per the schedule for generation finalised by the appropriate LDCs. Based on the availability of must-run stations, plants or units will follow the variable load requirements. The appropriate LDCs will schedule all coal-based TPPs, up to the minimum power level (MPL) of 55 per cent, to support the operation of must-run stations. The appropriate LDCs may sc­he­dule all coal-based TPPs, up to the MPL of 40 per cent, to support the operation of must-run stations. The minimum rate of loading or unloading for coal-based TPPs will be 3 per cent per minute above the MPL. For supercritical and ultra-supercritical units, the minimum rate of loading or unloading will be 5 per cent per minute above the MPL. Comments have been sought by August 26, 2022.