India evaluates operating its gas-fired gas-fired power plants, currently underutilizedThe strategy comes in response to the rapid growth in installed renewable energy capacity, which already exceeds 50% of the national total, but whose intermittency poses challenges for the power system. This strategy comes in response to the rapid growth of installed renewable energy capacity, which already exceeds 50% of the national total, but whose intermittency poses challenges for the power system.
Nighttime operation of gas plants in the face of critical demand
The natural gasalthough more expensive than coal, is considered a cleaner and more flexible option. Energy authorities have proposed that these plants could operate eight hours a day during the night, a critical consumption period, while remaining idle the rest of the day.
Conserving gas capacity in the face of costs and disuse
Historically, gas-fired generation in India is concentrated during the hottest months of the year. However, the government is seeking to preserve the 20 gigawatts (GW) of installed gas-fired capacity currently connected to the grid, reduced from the original 25 GW after assessing the operability of certain plants idled by high gas prices.
Gas as a key backup to variable renewables
India is the world’s fourth largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) (LNG) and plans to raise the share of gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030, from the current 6.2%.
In this context, flexible gas-fired generation takes on a strategic role to support grid stability in the face of the variability of sources such as solar and wind.
Lessons from Europe to stabilize the Indian network
Secretary Agarwal urged state utilities and plant operators to explore technical and economic solutions to integrate this mode of operation. The European experience in the face of adverse weather conditions is presented as a benchmark precedent.
The impact of LNG prices on the viability of the plan.
In parallel, spot LNG prices in Asia have shown recent increases, reaching US$11.35 per million British thermal units, due to higher seasonal demand.
This factor could influence the financial viability of the plan, although the government emphasizes the strategic importance of gas as a transitional support on the way to a cleaner and more resilient matrix.
Source: Reuters
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