By Sethuraman N R
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -NTPC Ltd, India’s largest coal power generator, has raised concerns that operating coal-fired power plants at a reduced load could significantly shorten the lifespan of its units.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the country’s de facto advisor for the power ministry, has recommended lowering the technical minimum — the lowest level at which a thermal plant can run reliably — to 40% of its installed capacity to help accommodate rising renewable energy generation.
The CEA plans to implement this from next year.
This shift is part of India’s broader strategy to integrate more solar and wind power into the grid while maintaining round-the-clock supply.
However, NTPC’s Director of Operations Ravindra Kumar said that sustained operation at such low levels could accelerate wear and tear, especially in boilers and turbines designed for higher loads.
“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 said on the sidelines of Powergen India event in New Delhi on Tuesday.
NTPC has opted to set its own technical minimum at 55%, which Kumar said offered a safer balance between flexibility and asset durability.
Responding to such concerns, CEA Chairman Ghanshyam Prasad said that studies have demonstrated the feasibility of operating at 40%, provided certain upgrades are made.
“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.
India is aiming to expand its non-fossil fuel capacity to 500 GW by 2030, but coal remains central to its energy security.
The government plans to increase coal-based capacity by 97 GW by 2035, taking the total to around 307 GW, to ensure reliable supply during periods when renewable output dips.
(Reporting by Sethuraman NREditing by Bernadette Baum)
