core sector communique

Capacity of Gas Based Power Generation Touches 16,640MW
The capacity of gas-based power generation in the country as on 31.07.2011 is around 16,640 MW.

Giving this information in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today, Minister of State for Power Shri K.C.Venugopal said the requirement of gas to operate the gas based power projects at its full load capacity i.e. corresponding to 90% PLF is around 82 million metric standard cubic meter per day (mmscmd). He said that as reported by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) the quantum of gas supplied / consumed for power generation was around 57 mmscmd in July 2011. The Minister added that the quantum of long term contracted Re-Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) consumed for power generation was around 4.79 mmscmd during 2010-11.

Shri Venugopal said that no existing gas based power project is lying idle in the country on account of inadequate availability of gas in long term basis. However, some of the gas based power plants have been reporting generation loss due to short supply of gas, he said. He said as regards short supply of contracted quantity of gas, Ministry of Power has requested Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to take remedial measure to restore the supply as approved by Empowered Group of Ministers.

The Minister said that the Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to augment gas supplies and bridge the gap between supply and demand for the domestic market including that for power sector. These include:-

i) Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas is taking necessary steps to increase availability of gas from domestic sources by awarding gas blocks for Exploration & Production activities in various sedimentary basins of the country under the New Exploration Licensing Policy.

ii) Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas is encouraging import of gas in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas and also making efforts for import of gas through international pipelines projects.

iii) In order to explore and produce new sources of natural gas from coal bearing areas, Government has formulated a Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Policy providing attractive fiscal and contractual framework for exploration and production of CBM in the country.

iv) The Government is encouraging Under Ground Coal Gasification and coal liquification and investment by private entrepreneurs in development of these frontier technologies.

v) While allocation of gas from KG basin (D-6), the power sector has been given priority.

Shri Venugopal said that the Ministry of Power has already requested Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for immediate allocation of about 32 mmscmd of gas in the 11th Plan. He said in addition to it, Ministry of Power has already recommended for allocation of about 24 mmscmd of gas for Central & State Sector projects likely to be commissioned in 12th Plan.