CEA: Draft Report of the Committee on Wear & Tear, O&M and Plant Lifespan Implications due to flexible operation

A committee constituted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recommended operating coal-based thermal power plants at a minimum technical load (MTL) of 40% and adopting two-shift operations to maintain grid stability as renewable energy penetration rises. In its draft report examining wear and tear, maintenance, and lifespan impacts of flexible operations, the panel found no conclusive evidence that running plants at 55% MTL caused significant damage solely due to low-load operations—countering concerns raised by NTPC Limited.