The CEA, while making the case for gas-based power projects as ideal to bridge the yawning power supply gap, has enumerated the following arguments:- Less land and water requirement: When contrasted against coal-based plants, gas power plants require less land and water, which are amongst the most important constraints in the construction of power plants.
- Smaller gestation period: Quicker capacity addition can be achieved in case of gas-based stations as they are ready to go on steam within 16-24 months against 38-42 months required for thermal power stations.
- Flexibility: These plants provide flexibility in operation as well as choice of location. They can be used both as peaking stations and as base load operation. Additionally, they can be set up near load centres with gas transported through pipelines.
- Lower carbon-dioxide emissions: Compared to thermal power plants, carbon-dioxide emissions are much less in gas-based units. Gas emissions from a modern combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) is only 0.35 kg-kwh in contrast with 0.83 kg-kwh from a 660 MW super-critical unit. In this background, it is important to shift towards gas-based projects in order to stick to the Low Carbon Growth Strategy for future capacity addition in the country.
- Shortage of coal: Given the demand-supply mismatch of coal, there is an urgent need to develop gas-based plants in the country so that any shortfall in power generation from coal-based projects can be offset by the development of gas-based capacity.
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