Lok Sabha Question No. 307 (STARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: Up-gradation of Thermal and Hydro Power Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Ramesh Chand Bind

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.307 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2023

## UP-GRADATION OF THERMAL AND HYDRO POWER PLANTS

*307. SHRI RAMESH CHAND BIND:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  for  up-gradation  of  thermal  and hydro power plants in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has estimated total cost for up-gradation of thermal and hydro power plants; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (d) :  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) IN RESPECT OF LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.307  FOR  REPLY  ON  10.08.2023 REGARDING  UP-GRADATION OF THERMAL AND HYDRO POWER PLANTS ASKED BY  SHRI RAMESH CHAND BIND.

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(a) & (b) :   The Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power issued R&M guidelines  in  February,  2020  to  promote  Renovation  &  Modernisation (R&M)/Life extension (LE) works in Coal Based Thermal units. The  Ministry constituted  a  High  level  committee  on  16.03.2022  to  study  the  various aspects  of  R&M/LE  works  in  coal  based  thermal  power  plants  and circulated revised R&M guidelines on 01.08.2023 for better implementation of R&M/LE/Up-gradation in coal based thermal units.

Central  Electricity  Authority  (CEA)  vide  an  advisory  dated 20.01.2023  suggested  that  rather  than  retiring  the  plants  advised  for implementation of R&M/LE for running the plants up to 2030 and beyond and getting  plants  ready  to  operate  in  two  shift  mode  to  facilitate  solar and wind energy integration into the grid, if found feasible.

R&M/LE Works have been completed in 8 numbers of Thermal Power units having total capacity of 1197 MW during 2017-22 in both State and  Central  Sector.  148  number  of  coal  based  thermal  units  having capacity  of  38150  MW  in  Central,  State  and  Private  Sector  have  been identified for R&M/LE Works upto June, 2033.

However,  it is pertinent to mention  that generation is a delicensed activity as per Section 7 of the Electricity Act, 2003 and final decision of carrying out R&M/LE in coal based thermal units is taken by power generating companies based on their own techno-economic viability and environmental reasons.

In case of Hydro power plants, CEA has prepared and published 'Guidelines  for  Renovation  &  Modernisation  of  Hydro  Power  Stations'  in July, 2020 which provides assistance to hydropower utilities in planning, identification of R&M works, preparation of DPR, tendering and implementation of works.

R&M/LE  have  been  completed  in  35  number  of  Hydro  units aggregating to 2049.4 MW in Central and State Sector during 2017-22. 241 number of Hydro units having capacity of 12183.1 MW in Central, State and Private Sector have been identified for R&M/LE Works for 2022-27.

(c) & (d) :   The  estimated  cost  for  R&M/LE  works  varies  from  unit  to  unit and  depends  on  various  factors like efficiency  improvement,  safety requirements, obsolescence of equipment/components, unforeseen failures,  fatigue  and  compliance  of  environmental  norms  on  the  basis  of Residual  Life  Assessment  (RLA)  /  Condition  Assessment  (CA)/Destructive test studies and Energy Audit studies.

In case of hydro projects, estimated cost for R&M works depends on following:

- i) Power Potential Study
2. ii) Electro-Mechanical Aspects
3. iii) Cost estimate of Civil and E&M works
4. iv) IDC (Interest During Construction)

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