NTPC plans to develop thermal power plants capable of operating at low loads
New Delhi, June 6: National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd proposes to develop thermal power units capable of operating at loads as low as 25 per cent and in this regard, it has invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs).
The State-owned largest power producer of the country is seeking to enhance grid flexibility amid rising renewable energy integration.
Currently, thermal power stations can operate at a technical minimum load of 55 per cent, below which plants experience significantly higher wear and tear.
The company is seeking technology providers and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partners for sub-critical thermal units in the 150–250 MW range.
These units are expected to ramp up or down quickly to balance fluctuations in renewable energy generation and support grid stability.
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According to a company official cited in the report, NTPC’s thermal fleet is already operating at the technical minimum load of 55 per cent during low-demand periods.
The proposed low-load thermal units are expected to strengthen grid flexibility and support the integration of renewable power sources while maintaining system reliability.
NTPC’s latest initiative aims to address this limitation by exploring thermal units that can function at much lower loads and, if required, operate in two shifts.
The move comes as renewable energy accounts for a growing share of India’s power mix, increasing variability in electricity generation and creating a need for thermal plants that can operate more flexibly alongside solar and wind energy.
The development gains significance as India’s grid integrates an increasing share of renewable energy, requiring thermal assets to operate at technical minimum levels during periods of low demand.
