Power ministry recomends gas allocation for 8 projects

Towards meeting the production of 3,153.5 MW of electricity in the 11th Plan period, the power ministry has asked the petroleum ministry to expressly consider allocating 16.23 million metric standard cubic metre per day to eight power producers whose projects are likely to be commissioned this year.

A team of officials from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) made a spot assessment of the progress made by the power producers towards commissioning. Their findings reveal that out of a total capacity of 4,193.5 MW, around 3,182.5 MW would be commissioned within this year. Based on this, the requirement of gas comes to 16.23 mmscmd as per the norms set by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM).

Earlier in May, the power ministry had recommended allocating 15.59 mmscmd of natural gas to six other power plants that were to be commissioned this year. These projects were: Hazira CCPP of Gujarat State Energy, Pipavav CCPP of GSPC Pipavav, Pragati Stage III of Pragati Power, Lanco Kondapalli Stage III and Vemagiri Expansion CCPP of GMR Energy.