Andhra Pradesh IPPs generate more power with additional gas supply

IPPs in Andhra Pradesh generate and supply about 300-330 Mw more to the State grid through additional gas supply of 1.5 mmscmd, partially boosting the power capacity in the State.

The gas supply that came from RIL and ONGC was procured through a gas swap deal with GAIL

GAIL has offered 1.5 mmscmd of regular RLNG under a swapping arrangement following the approval by the Union Ministry for Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The quantum of gas allocation by the Centre based on Andhra Pradesh’s request to help run the gas-based plants at higher capacity will ease up some pressure on demand supply mismatch. Yet about 600 MW of IPP capacity of gas plants will be idle due to inadequate supply. With this additional supply, about 2,000-2,600 MW would now be generating power.

Due to the strike by the miners of Singareni Collieries, there has been a steep fall in thermal power generation in the State.  Both NTPC and AP Genco thermal plants have been impacted, leading to inadequate power supply and huge power cuts for all sections of consumers. This gas arrangement would mean an additional burden of Rs 43 crore on Andhra Pradesh.