NTPC, a government-owned entity, is set to generate flexible coal-fired thermal power plants in order to ensure the continuity of power supply with the growth of renewable energy sources in India.

This is due to concerns associated with the unpredictable nature of the generation of energy from solar or wind power. The flexible nature of the coal-based thermal units will enable them to balance power supply by fluctuating the level of power supplied depending on the level of production from the renewables and the demand for energy.

Expressions of interest have been sought from prospective contractors to undertake the construction of subcritical thermal plants with generation capacities of between 150 MW and 250 MW. These flexible plants are set to run in two shifts and respond to changes in the demand for power faster than other coal-fired plants.

Over the last ten years, India has registered a substantial increase in the installation of renewable energy sources. This includes solar and wind energy that form part of the energy sources. Despite the flexibility of renewables in reducing fossil fuel consumption, the generation of energy from renewables is dependent on the weather.

Flexibility in the generation or use of energy storage/demand management techniques is employed to mitigate such variability. As far as India is concerned, coal is a key component of electricity production. It has been found in studies conducted on power systems with a large proportion of renewable energy that flexibility in coal-based plants can help in dealing with unexpected dips in renewable generation.

In addition, this step by NTPC underscores the problem faced by the power industry of providing reliable electricity while growing the proportion of renewable energy in the system. Although India has made aggressive plans for its clean energy goals, there still seems to be rising demand for electricity due to various socio-economic and demographic factors in the country.

The state-owned utility NTPC is one of the largest producers of electricity in the country and is involved in developing both conventional and renewable power projects.

These flexible coal-fired power units should be seen more as a balancing option, as opposed to an alternative to renewable energy sources. This would ensure that they act as a cushioning option for when the production of renewable energy is less than anticipated.

As the transition toward a renewable-energy-powered economy continues in India, the question of achieving a balance between affordability, sustainability, and reliability remains pertinent.