Power units hit by gas shortage: CEA report

Erratic supplies from KG D6 and limited import options have led to a fall in power output of gas-based plants in June, said a Central Electricity Authority (CEA) report.

The gross monthly generation by thermal, nuclear and hydro power stations, however, witnessed a positive growth in the period under consideration. Performance of gas-based power plants have also seen a decline in Q1 of FY12.According to CEA, the average plant load factor (PLF) achieved by gas- and liquid fuel-based plants in June reduced to 62.79 per cent, against 69.29 per cent during the year-ago period. During April- June, gas-based power generation saw a decline of 7.81 per cent, while liquid fuel-based stations fell 33.04 per cent. The total installed capacity of gas-based project was 17,706 Mw and for diesel (liquid fuel) based projects 1,199.75 Mw.

Average PLF for northern region (NR) gas plants was the lowest during June at 55.13 per cent against a PLF of 73.10 per cent during June 2010. Only seven gas-based power stations have aggregated an installed capacity of 2,795.5 Mw operated at a PLF of above 80 per cent during June. Among these, one each were from Central & State Sector Utilities and five were private sector utilities. Tata Power-controlled Trombay plant achieved a record 102.39 per cent PLF.

A power ministry official, requesting anonymity, told Business Standard: “There are constraints in gas availability. The ministry has been repeatedly taking up this issue with the petroleum ministry and will raise it during the ensuing meeting of the empowered group of ministers on July 27. Utilities have made a case for gas allocation not only from KG D6 but from ONGC and GSPC fields located in KG basin.”

The CEA report said power generation from nuclear plants exceeded its target by 372 million units (MUs) during June — 2,505 MUs against the target of 2,133 MUs — up 40.09 per cent with respect to nuclear generation during same period last year. The average PLF of all nuclear plants was 72.80 per cent in June, against 54.47 per cent during same period last year. The Nuclear Power Corporation-run Kakrapara nuclear plant (440 Mw) recorded the highest PLF at 98.32 per cent.

The official said repeated improvement in generation of Indian nuclear plants with a total generation capacity of 4,780 Mw was largely due to increased uranium supplies from member countries of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Generation from coal-based stations was at 524 MUs. However, the cumulative power generation from coal-based units during April-June was 1,415 MUs more than the programme. Coal-based power plants have achieved a growth rate of 7.89 per cent during June, over the same period last year.

Cumulative generation of coal-based plants during April-June has also achieved a remarkable growth rate of 9.36 per cent over the year-ago period. Since demand of power was primarily met by increased output from coal-based stations, energy demand from lignite-, gas-, liquid fuel- and diesel-based stations have declined.

The PLF of coal-based plants have marginally improved by 0.12 per cent during April-June, over the same period last year. Thermal stations located across the country, except Northern & Eastern Regions, exceeded their respective generation targets.

During June, 30.16 million tonnes of coal was procured by thermal power stations against their total requirement of 37 mt — up about 82 per cent. As on June 30, 26 power stations had critical stock, including nine with super critical stock (stock for less than four days).

During FY12, the anticipated demand-supply gap of coal in the domestic market is estimated at around 54 mt and imports of 35 mt of coal has been recommended. In addition, 20 mt of coal import has been planned to meet requirements of power plants designed on imported coal.