Question : COAL AND GAS BASED POWER PROJECTS

(a) the number of gas-based power projects vis-à-vis the coal-based power projects in the country as on date;

(b) whether the gas-based thermal power projects are more cost effective than the coal-based power projects; and

(c) if so, the details of the comparative benefits of the gas-based thermal power projects over the coal-based power projects?

THE MINISTER OF POWER ( SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE )

(a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 379 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 27.04.2007 REGARDING COAL AND GAS-BASED POWER PROJECTS.

(a) : As on 31.03.2007, there are 94 coal & lignite based power stations with total installed capacity of 71,031.38 MW and 51 gas based power stations with installed capacity of 11,741.72 MW.

(b) & (c) : The comparative economics of cost of generation depends on factors like price of the fuel and location of the plant. The cost of generation for gas based power projects, at the current price of gas, works out to be higher than that of coal based power projects. However, comparative benefits of gas based projects over coal based projects are as under:

i)	Lesser initial capital cost.	ii)	Higher efficiency.	iii)	Lesser land requirement.	iv)	Lesser water requirement.	v)	Lesser gestation period.	vi)	More Environment friendly.