Thermal units of 8,000 MW may be mothballed in green drive

Anil Sasi

The Centre's policy document targets a near 30 per cent reduction in emission intensity (or kg of CO2 emitted for generating Re 1 of GDP) from the power sector by 2022..

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Ministry plans hydro push, gas-based capacity, super-critical units
----------------------------------------------------------------------New Delhi, March 3

In line with its commitment to reduce the country's emission intensity, the Government has readied a low-carbon growth strategy starting with plugs on the power sector.

The plan, presented by the Power Ministry to the PMO as part of the voluntary domestic mitigation actions on the anvil, includes the retirement of 8,000 MW of inefficient thermal units over the next 12 years. A big hydro push, addition of 27,000 MW of gas-based capacity and 80,000 MW of the efficient super-critical thermal units by 2022 has been proposed.

Besides, 41,000 MW of new renewable capacity will be targeted, along with the lowering of transmission and distribution losses to 17 per cent from the current 30 per cent.

The Centre's policy document targets a near 30 per cent reduction in emission intensity (or kg of CO2 emitted for generating Re 1 of GDP) from the power sector by 2022, compared to 2005 levels. Key actions include the facilitation of statutory clearances for hydel projects aimed at harnessing 41,000 MW of new hydro capacity over the next 12 years.

Besides, directives regarding minimum efficiency of new power stations will be issued shortly and environment clearance and coal linkages are to be accorded only for the more efficient super-critical units from the Thirteenth Plan period. At least 50 per cent of the coal-fired capacity in the Twelfth Plan would be based on super-critical technology.

Renewables focus

The focus on renewables includes addition of a minimum of 10,000 MW of solar power and 31,000 MW of non-solar renewable capacity by 2022. Development of new gas-based capacity through import of LNG with pooled pricing of imported and indigenous gas for all new and existing projects has been proposed. Energy intensity standards for industry, building and appliances would also be fully put in place.

On plans for inefficient units, while around 1,100 MW of old thermal capacity has already been retired, nearly 8,000 MW is to be retired in the coming years.

In order to provide incentive to States, it has been proposed that 50 per cent of the generation capability of the unit just before shutdown be compensated by way of additional allocation from the Centre's unallocated quota during the normative period of shutdown.

India had, in January this year, conveyed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that it would endeavour to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 20-25 per cent by 2020, compared to the 2005 level, through voluntary mitigation actions.

"The focus is on cleaner fuels and superior technology. The weighted average emission in terms of tonnes of CO2 produced per megawatt-hour (or 1,000 units or kilowatt-hour) of power generated in case of sub-critical coal units is 1 tonne, as against 0.88 in the case of new super-critical sets using coal. For gas, it is about 0.46 currently, which could go down to 0.25 per cent," a Government official associated with the exercise said.