A method for generating guidance for operating a power plant having at least one gas turbine to meet base load power demands, comprising: obtaining, by a system comprising at least one processor, a plurality of base load data related to operational parameters of the power plant during base load at a plurality of base load settings at predetermined ambient conditions, the operational parameters including firing temperature of the gas turbine, a position of inlet guide vanes in the gas turbine, and fuel temperature of the fuel in the gas turbine; correlating, by the system, the plurality of base load data for the operational parameters to power output and efficiency values that are attained by the power plant while operating at each of the plurality of base load settings at the predetermined ambient conditions during base load; determining, by the system, a primary base load operating space from the correlation of the plurality of base load data for a first set of the operational parameters to the attained power output and efficiency values, wherein the primary the base load operating space provides a representation that associates the power output and efficiency values of the power plant that are attained with the first set of operational parameters while operating at each of the plurality of base load settings at the predetermined ambient conditions during base load, the first set of operational parameters including the firing temperature and the position of the inlet guide vanes, wherein the primary base load operating space is indicative of a primary operating space to attain target plant power output and efficiency; expanding, by the system, the primary base load operating space with a portion of the plurality of base load data related to a second set of the operational parameters of the power plant, the second set of the operational parameters including the firing temperature, the position of the inlet guide vanes, and the fuel temperature, wherein the expanded portion of the base load operating space is indicative of a secondary base load operating space that attains higher plant power output and sub-optimal efficiency in relation to the primary base load operating space; and generating, by the system, a representation of a flexible base load map for operating the power plant, wherein the flexible base load map includes an aggregation of the primary base load operating space and the expanded portion of the base load operating space, wherein the representation of the flexible base load map offers a range of operating values for the operational parameters and corresponding power output and efficiency values that are attained while operating the power plant at the range of operating values, offering an operator of the power plant with flexibility in controlling the power plant during base load. obtaining, by a system comprising at least one processor, a plurality of base load data related to operational parameters of the power plant during base load at a plurality of base load settings at predetermined ambient conditions, the operational parameters including firing temperature of the gas turbine, a position of inlet guide vanes in the gas turbine, and fuel temperature of the fuel in the gas turbine; correlating, by the system, the plurality of base load data for the operational parameters to power output and efficiency values that are attained by the power plant while operating at each of the plurality of base load settings at the predetermined ambient conditions during base load; determining, by the system, a primary base load operating space from the correlation of the plurality of base load data for a first set of the operational parameters to the attained power output and efficiency values, wherein the primary the base load operating space provides a representation that associates the power output and efficiency values of the power plant that are attained with the first set of operational parameters while operating at each of the plurality of base load settings at the predetermined ambient conditions during base load, the first set of operational parameters including the firing temperature and the position of the inlet guide vanes, wherein the primary base load operating space is indicative of a primary operating space to attain target plant power output and efficiency; expanding, by the system, the primary base load operating space with a portion of the plurality of base load data related to a second set of the operational parameters of the power plant, the second set of the operational parameters including the firing temperature, the position of the inlet guide vanes, and the fuel temperature, wherein the expanded portion of the base load operating space is indicative of a secondary base load operating space that attains higher plant power output and sub-optimal efficiency in relation to the primary base load operating space; and generating, by the system, a representation of a flexible base load map for operating the power plant, wherein the flexible base load map includes an aggregation of the primary base load operating space and the expanded portion of the base load operating space, wherein the representation of the flexible base load map offers a range of operating values for the operational parameters and corresponding power output and efficiency values that are attained while operating the power plant at the range of operating values, offering an operator of the power plant with flexibility in controlling the power plant during base load.