The Delhi government’s attempts to revive the under-utilised gas-based power plant in Bawana seem to be bearing no results. Recently, the government had sought commitment from the three distribution companies in the capital to buy power from the 1,500 MW plant. But the discoms, according to sources, have denied to committ to any such agreement.
Grossly under-utilized since the past four years, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government has been mulling over a number of alternatives to increase production of the Bawana power plant. Sources told The Hindu that the government is planning to seek more gas from GAIL (India) Limited so that the plant could at least produce up to 500 MW of electricity. But before sealing the deal with GAIL, the Power department had to obtain consent from the discoms, which include BSES Rajdhani (BRPL), BSES Yamuna (BYPL) and Tata Power (TPDDL), which did not happen.
The discoms were asked to buy power from the plant at Rs 3.72 per unit (variable cost), which was in addition to the fixed cost. Justifying the decision, discom officials said, “Delhi already has surplus power. Besides, our power purchase agreements are already fixed and the cost of power from Bawana is still turning out to be expensive.”
To make the plan work, Delhi Power Minister Satyendra Jain had also written to the Centre seeking allocation of gas to the power plant. But, despite several reminders, a positive response is quite unlikely as almost all gas-based power plants across the country are facing a similar shortage.
The Delhi government, however, is not losing hope as it believes global price of gas is set to come down in the near future. “Prices have already begun to fall and the market scenario is only going to get better hereon. From 12 to 13 dollars, the price of gas has come down to nine to 10 dollars per gallon. We hope things will turn around for the Bawana plant soon,” said a government official.
The Bawana plant at present produces only 20 per cent, or even less, of its total capacity. It was supposed to be commissioned before the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which was delayed as the plant was not ready.
Delhi Power Minister Satyendra Jain had also written to the Centre seeking allocation of gas to the power plant. But, despite several reminders, a positive response is quite unlikely as almost all gas-based power plants across the country are facing a similar shortage
