Wartsila, the Finnish manufacturer of flexible fuel and decentralised power generation plants, believes that the key to addressing power shortage is in specifically targeting peak load shortfall in generation capacity.

The power shortage is primarily due to the inability of utilities to cater to peak hour demand in the mornings or evenings. Policy makers need to address the issue through ‘smart power generation' by encouraging flexible and decentralised power generation that can rapidly step up supply to the grid or step down at short notice.

Mr Rakesh Sarin, Managing Director, Wartsila India, says specifically adding to peak load generation capacity is needed in addition to prevailing practice of targeting base load capacity with large capacities and renewable energy. Typically, base load units are large units powered by coal or nuclear power.

The power generation mix needs to provide for smaller, decentralised capacities that operate on liquid fuel or gas. Such units also enable larger contribution of power from renewable sources. Wartsila, which has manufacturing capability in this segment, will push for a policy that will enable smart power generation, he said.

For instance, wind power generation is known to ‘infirm' or intermittent source. For States like Tamil Nadu that have about 5,000 MW of wind power accounting for about 20 per cent of the generation capacity, loss of wind power supply could affect the grid. But decentralised sources of power can help fill the gaps.

A study by the company in association with IIT, Delhi, has brought out the significant benefits of Smart Power Generation, which can address issues of coal and natural gas availability, transmission and distribution losses, land acquisition and water conservation, load shedding and long gestation which are issues in power capacity addition, he said.

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