Peaking gas and power units to run under special scheme next summer

Move aimed at handling peak demand, NTPC-GAIL to ink pact, PowerMin to fund the scheme

In a move aimed at avoiding a deficit in the supply of electricity during the high summer demand months, the Union power ministry is looking to designate 2.5 gigawatts of state-owned thermal power behemoth NTPC as peaking power stations. Under the scheme, gas would be sourced by GAIL Ltd in advance and would be completely paid for, even if left unutilised.

The ministry plans to set up a fund for this scheme, from which it will pay for the unused gas. “Whatever NTPC procures from GAIL would be paid by the company, at the market rates at which GAIL procures.