New Delhi: The Government has identified 223 coal-based thermal power units with a combined capacity of 63,440 MW as potential candidates for Renovation & Modernisation/Life Extension (R&M/LE) works, with the exercise planned in nine phases between January 2024 and June 2046.
The initiative aims to extend the operational life of ageing coal-based thermal power stations and ensure that the modernisation of existing capacity is carried out in a phased manner without creating a major gap between energy demand and supply.
R&M Guidelines 2023
The Government had constituted a committee on March 16, 2022, comprising representatives from NTPC Ltd., Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Ltd. (GSECL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL). The committee examined various aspects of life extension and R&M of coal-based thermal power stations and subsequently prepared the R&M Guidelines 2023.
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Based on these guidelines, the CEA, after consultations with concerned stakeholders, identified 223 units that were more than 20 years old as of December 2022 as potential candidates for R&M/LE works.
223 Units to be Covered in Nine Phases
The identified units have been divided into nine phases, beginning in January 2024 and extending up to June 2046.
- Phase I: January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026 — 37 units with 7,960 MW capacity.
- Phase II: July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028 — 30 units with 8,310 MW capacity.
- Phase III: January 1, 2029 to June 30, 2031 — 24 units with 5,370 MW capacity.
- Phase IV: July 1, 2031 to December 31, 2033 — 25 units with 6,780 MW capacity.
- Phase V: January 1, 2034 to June 30, 2036 — 25 units with 6,710 MW capacity.
- Phase VI: July 1, 2036 to December 31, 2038 — 20 units with 7,595 MW capacity.
- Phase VII: January 1, 2039 to June 30, 2041 — 25 units with 7,590 MW capacity.
- Phase VIII: July 1, 2041 to December 31, 2043 — 23 units with 7,055 MW capacity.
- Phase IX: January 1, 2044 to June 30, 2046 — 14 units with 6,070 MW capacity.
Together, the nine phases cover 223 units with a total capacity of 63,440 MW.
Central, State and Private Sector Units
Of the total 223 units:
- Central sector: 81 units with 26,040 MW capacity
- State sector: 116 units with 28,870 MW capacity
- Private sector: 26 units with 8,530 MW capacity
The state sector therefore accounts for the largest share of the identified units and capacity, followed by the central and private sectors.
The phased plan is intended to ensure that R&M/LE activities do not lead to a significant disruption in electricity availability amid rising energy demand.
No Central Funding Scheme for Modernisation
The Government has clarified that the Central Government currently neither provides funds nor operates a central-sector scheme specifically for modernisation or upgradation of thermal power plants, including those in Andhra Pradesh.
According to the Ministry of Power, the generating companies are expected to commercially finance the R&M/LE works after evaluating their feasibility.
