RAJYA SABHA
CLOSING OF OLD THERMAL POWER PLANTS
3173 SHRI T.G. VENKATESH:
Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has taken a decision to close down the old thermal power plants which are about 20 years old due to their high maintenance cost;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of power plants identified for closing down in the State of Andhra Pradesh; and
(d) the impact of such closed plants on power generation and the steps being taken to overcome?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI R.K. SINGH)
(c): Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has informed that 6 units of 210 MW each of Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited (APPGCL) in the State of Andhra Pradesh which are above 20 years of age, have not submitted any plan for installation of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) and may have to close down due to non-compliance of emission norms.
(d): The National Electricity Plan (NEP) has already factored in the likely retirement of coal based plants up to 2027 and capacity addition on account of renewable energy and conventional sources which will be more than sufficient to meet the power requirement of the country.