Question : COAL-BASED POWER PROJECTS

(a) the number of coal-based power plants currently under implementation in public and private sectors across the country;

(b) the total cumulative capacity likely to be added to the energy grid on completion;

(c) whether the bulk of the energy deficit in India is during the peak hours of the day;

(d) if so, whether the coal-based power plants that are being constructed all over the country are only suitable for base load of the grid;

(e) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon;

(f) whether in the event of all plants are commissioned the country may likely to have surplus base load capacity, rendering most of the coal-based power plants operating at sub-optimal annual load factors, resulting in economic loss to the country; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL)

(a) to (g): 43 coal based power plants with estimated total capacity of 26878 MW are currently under implementation in public and private sectors across the country for likely benefits during the remaining period of the 11th Plan. A capacity of 32512 MW including thermal capacity of 27711 MW has been commissioned till 31.01.2011 during the 11th Plan. Despite this, peak and energy shortages in the country during the current financial year (April`10 to January`11) are still high at 11.1% and 8.6%, respectively. Moreover, demand for power has been growing at CAGR of 6.4% over the last three years.

It is true that most of the coal based power plants are being planned as base load stations. However, in view of continuing energy and peaking shortages in the country, it is unlikely that on commissioning of the aforesaid coal based capacities the country would have substantial surplus base load capacity on a continuing basis, and PLF of these stations is unlikely to fall in any substantial manner by the end of the Eleventh Plan.