(a) the average Plant Load Factor (PLF) of various thermal Power Plants in the country, public and private-sector, separately, State-wise;
(b) whether the Government has assessed the reasons for the under utilization of their capacity and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up more coal-based power plants in the country in the near future and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER,
COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES
( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )
(a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.6 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 02.02.2017 REGARDING PLANT LOAD FACTOR.
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(a) : The average Plant Load Factor (PLF) of the thermal power stations in the country for the period from April, 2016 to December, 2016 is 59.64%. The Sector-wise and State-wise PLF of various thermal (coal/lignite based) stations in the country from April, 2014 to December, 2016 is given at Annex-I.
(b) : The reasons for under-utilization of plants include, inter alia, rapid increase in generation capacity including massive expansion of renewables, conservation of energy because of efficiency measures and low availability of gas for gas based thermal power stations.
(c) : As per the Electricity Act 2003 section (7), “Any generating company may establish, operate and maintain a generating station without obtaining a license if it complies with the technical standards relating to connectivity with the grid”. Presently, 71000 MW coal based thermal power plants are under various stages of construction. The sector-wise details of capacity addition is given at Annex-II.
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