Power demand has been growing rapidly in the country, with a 21 per cent increase recorded in October 2023 over the past year. Given this pace, one of the immediate tasks at hand is to identify ways to meet the power demand.
The recently concluded National Conference of Power and New and Renewable Energy Ministers of States and UTs focused on ensuring 24×7 quality supply to power the growing economy. And rightly so. The power ministry has urged the states to plan for future capacity additions, expedite the commissioning of conventional and renewable energy projects and maintain adequate stocks of coal. Besides, ensuring quality power supply and standard of services, and planning for energy storage are high on the ministry’s agenda.
Notably, as recent trends and developments in the sector indicate, thermal power is here to stay for ensuring round-the-clock power supply, at least till energy storage becomes viable. In a recent review meeting, the power ministry noted that India needs nearly 80 GW of new capacity to be added by 2031-32 in order to meet the power demand. While the renewable energy target remains in focus, thermal power capacity, clearly, cannot be written off, at least not for the near foreseeable future.
That said, measures to mitigate emissions from thermal power plants are a must. While gencos have been chalking out strategies to comply with emission norms by deploying various emission control systems including FGDs, SCRs and ESPs, these efforts need to be accelerated. The recent thrust on biomass co-firing will also go a long way in reducing emissions and prolonging the lifespan of assets.