CEA, POSOCO will conduct periodic review of forced power outages: RK Singh

• Forced outage is the shutdown of a generating unit, transmission line, or other facility for emergency reasons, or as a result of an unanticipated breakdown
• RK Singh told the Upper House of the Parliament that all planned shutdowns of thermal and hydro power units will be undertaken during lean demand periods

New Delhi: Union Power Minister RK Singh has said that the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) will conduct periodic review of forced power outages. While elaborating on the measures taken by the Power Ministry to ensure power plants operate with maximum efficiency to meet higher demand during summer months, Singh told the Rajya Sabha in a written response on Tuesday, "There shall be periodic review of forced outage by Central Electricity Authority and Power System Operation Corporation."

Forced outage is the shutdown of a generating unit, transmission line, or other facility for emergency reasons, or a condition in which the equipment is unavailable as a result of an unanticipated breakdown. A widespread power outage brought India's financial capital, Mumbai, to a halt in October 2020 as train services were disrupted and offices and residences experienced a blackout for over 15 hours. 

Planned shutdowns of power plants to be undertaken during lean periods

Singh told the Upper House of the Parliament that all planned shutdowns of thermal and hydro power units will be undertaken during lean demand periods. "There shall be adequate capacity on bar and to achieve the same (and) even gas-based generation shall be synchronised during the period of high demand. Regular coordination interactions will be held with Central Generating Companies, State Generating Companies, Independent Power Producers, coal companies, Railways and Ministry of Coal," Singh said.

"To improve efficiency of Thermal Power Plants, Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, which is designed to reduce Specific Energy Consumption, is being implemented," the minister added.

Tariff-based bidding to ensure competitive rate of bulk power: Singh

The government is looking to deepen the power markets with a view to increase efficiency in procurement of energy. "Tariff based bidding has been promoted to ensure most competitive rate of bulk power and transmission services. Also introducing flexibility in use of coal in power plants and merit order despatch at national level has helped in controlling cost of generation," the minister told the Rajya Sabha.

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