Seeking top priority status for generation stations in allotment of domestic gas, Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has sought a date for the meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers’ (EGoM) in this regard. The move is to save more than Rs 1 lakh crore investments from turning sour as 24,000 mw of gas-fired capacity is idling on account of fuel shortage.
On the back of shortage of gas, the gas-based power stations in the country are running at 35% efficiency level as generation utilities manage supplies to keep units running at their minimum operating level. Currently, gas-based fertilizer plants get top most priority in allocation of scarce natural gas followed by LPG-extraction units with gas-based power plants placed third in the priority list.
About 24,000 mw of gas-fired generation capacity is idling due to gas fuel shortage sparked by output from Reliance Industries (RIL) Andhra offshore field falling to 17 mcmd (million cubic metres a day) from 60 mcmd. In addition, around 9000 MW of gas-fired plants are stranded due to lack of gas and are likely to become non-performing assets.
