India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has reportedly expressed concerns that running coal-fired power plants at reduced loads could significantly lower the lifespan of its units.
This comes in response to the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) recommendation to lower the technical minimum to 40% of installed capacity, according to a Reuters report.
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The CEA’s suggestion aims to facilitate the integration of more renewable energy into the national grid.
NTPC’s director of operations, Ravindra Kumar, has highlighted the potential for increased wear and tear on boilers and turbines if plants are operated at the lower advised levels.
The body has therefore decided to maintain its own technical minimum at 55%, which Kumar believes strikes a better balance between operational flexibility and preserving the longevity of the company’s assets.
“If we operate at that level for long periods, the expected life of a plant – typically 25 years – could be cut by a third or even more,” Kumar was quoted as saying at the Powergen India event in New Delhi.
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By GlobalDataCEA chair Ghanshyam Prasad has acknowledged these concerns but stated that studies support the viability of operating at 40% capacity with appropriate upgrades.
“If those (retrofitting) investments are made, the machines can run at lower loads. But it will affect efficiency, and that’s where compensation mechanisms should be considered,” Prasad said.
Despite the push for renewables, coal is still a significant part of India’s energy strategy. The government plans to boost coal-based capacity by 97GW by 2035.
This June, NTPC announced a partnership with Sustainable Energy for All to support its transition to clean energy.
This collaboration aims to develop an energy transition roadmap that aligns with India’s energy security needs and its net-zero emissions commitments.
