Swapping of KG-D6 gas for RCF units in Maharashtra to boost power generation in AP

The department of fertilizers has allowed the swapping of KG-D6 gas being supplied to Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) units located in Maharashtra with regasified liquid natural gas (RLNG), thereby facilitating supply of additional gas to the tune of 2.2 million standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD) to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states.

The swapping of this 2.2 MMSCMD of KG-D6 gas will help additional generation of 450 MW power by independent power producers (IPP) in Telangana (242 MW or 53.89 per cent) and in Andhra Pradesh (208 MW), an official release said.

IPPs located in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have pipeline connectivity with Reliance Gas Transportation Infrastructure's (RGTIL) East West pipeline, whereas the RLNG terminals are located on the western coast of the country.

Further, even though East West pipeline of RGTIL provides physical connectivity to eastern parts of the country, RGTIL has indicated that it will not be possible for RLNG to flow from western parts of India to AP. Therefore, direct RLNG supply to customers in AP and Telangana is not possible and can only be achieved through swapping of gas.

GAIL (India) Ltd will enter into necessary contractual arrangements with RCF, RGTIL and AP IPPs and Telangana IPPs for supply of RLNG. This will help in mitigating the power shortage in Telangana state, which would benefit the farmers having 18.62 lakh pump sets in saving rabi crops.

Further, the unscheduled power cuts in Telangana state can be minimised to a great extent, which will also help the consumers of Telangana state and public at large. This will also help AP state to mitigate the power deficit and benefit the farmers of the state.