MoP crafts a multi-pronged strategy to ensure adequate availability of power during summer season

The MoP has devised a multi-pronged strategy to ensure adequate availability of power during the coming summer months. As part of the strategy, power utilities have been directed to undertake maintenance for coal-based power plants in advance to avoid planned maintenance during the crunch period, that is, April-May 2023. Directions have also been iss­ued under Section 11 to all imported coal-based plants to run at full capacity from March 16, 2023 to June 15, 2023. The Railway Board has assured the availability of enough rakes for the transport of coal. The MoP has di­rected NTPC Limited to run its 5,000 MW gas-based power stations during the crunch period. Additionally, 4,000 MW of gas-based power capacity will be added by other entities during the summer months. GAIL Limited has assured the MoP of the necessary supply of gas during these months. The hydro fleet has been instructed to operate in consultation with regio­nal/ state load despatch centres to optimise water utilisation. An additional capacity of 2,920 MW will be available through new coal-based plants, which will be commissioned by the end of March 2023. As per the estimates of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the peak electricity demand is expected to be 229 GW during the month of April 2023, while the energy demand is expected to be 142,097 MUs.