Media reports quoted a top source from the union power ministry as saying that natural gas-based power plants in the country need 72 mscmd of gas to operate at 75 per cent plant load factor.
However, at present they get only 27 mscmd gas, which enable them to operate at only 29 per cent plant load factor, reports suggest.
The power ministry is learnt to have ruled out natural gas price pooling as the country does not have a larger base of domestic gas supply. In the absence of a larger base of domestic gas supply, it is not possible to make a pool with imported gas, which can be distributed evenly.
Shortage of gas supply threatened the viability of almost 20,109.85 mw domestic fuel-starved gas-fired power plants. The viability depends on state distribution companiesÂ’ (discoms) agreeing to pay a higher price for electricity.
This is because generating power from expensive imported gas would push tariffs up by at least Rs 3-4 per kwh.
Increase in tariff is possible only if discoms are willing to buy and are allowed to pass through the higher cost. But, the purchaser is not willing to pay a higher cost, reports suggest.
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