India Orders Gas-Fired Power Stations to Meet Summer Demand

16 Apr 2024 CW Team

The ministry has forecasted a peak power demand of 260 GW this summer (April to June 2024). This decision is part of a series of measures taken by the Centre to ensure that electricity demand in the summer is met. According to a power ministry statement, the order shall remain valid for the generation and supply of electricity from May 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024.

To ensure maximum power generation from Gas-Based Generating Stations, the government has issued directions to all Gas-Based Generating Stations under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the statement said. The order under Section 11 aims to optimize the availability of power from GBSs during the high-demand period.

As per the arrangement, GRID-INDIA will inform GBSs in advance of the number of days for which gas-based power is required. GBSs holding Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with distribution licensees shall first offer their power to PPA holders. If the power offered is not utilized by any PPA holder, then it shall be offered in the power market. GBSs not tied to PPAs must offer their generation in the power market. A high-level committee headed by the Chairperson, of the Central Electricity Authority, has been constituted to facilitate the implementation of this direction.

Other measures taken by the government to meet the summer demand include planned maintenance of power plants to be shifted to the monsoon season, fast-tracking new capacity additions, and bringing down partial outages of thermal power plants. India's electricity demand has been rising rapidly, driven by economic growth, particularly during hot weather and high-demand periods.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country during the 2024 summer.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

India has invoked a 21-year-old emergency provision to order its idling gas-fired power stations to operate during the summer, as electricity demand starts to rise. All gas-based power generating stations have been instructed to operationalize their plants from May 1 to June 30 due to a projected increase in electricity demand amid a likely prolonged heat wave this summer. A significant portion of Gas-Based Generating Stations (GBSs) is currently unutilized, primarily due to commercial considerations. The ministry has forecasted a peak power demand of 260 GW this summer (April to June 2024). This decision is part of a series of measures taken by the Centre to ensure that electricity demand in the summer is met. According to a power ministry statement, the order shall remain valid for the generation and supply of electricity from May 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024. To ensure maximum power generation from Gas-Based Generating Stations, the government has issued directions to all Gas-Based Generating Stations under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the statement said. The order under Section 11 aims to optimize the availability of power from GBSs during the high-demand period. As per the arrangement, GRID-INDIA will inform GBSs in advance of the number of days for which gas-based power is required. GBSs holding Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with distribution licensees shall first offer their power to PPA holders. If the power offered is not utilized by any PPA holder, then it shall be offered in the power market. GBSs not tied to PPAs must offer their generation in the power market. A high-level committee headed by the Chairperson, of the Central Electricity Authority, has been constituted to facilitate the implementation of this direction. Other measures taken by the government to meet the summer demand include planned maintenance of power plants to be shifted to the monsoon season, fast-tracking new capacity additions, and bringing down partial outages of thermal power plants. India's electricity demand has been rising rapidly, driven by economic growth, particularly during hot weather and high-demand periods. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country during the 2024 summer.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..