The government has identified 148 coal-fired and 241 hydro units with a total capacity of more than 50,300 MW for life extension up to 2030, towards maximising electricity generation from existing power plants.

In January 2023, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had recommended that rather than retiring plants, it advised in favour of implementation of renovation & modernisation (R&M)/ life extension (LE) for running them up to 2030 and beyond. It also suggested to get these plants ready to operate in a two-shift mode, which would facilitate solar and wind energy integration into the grid, if found feasible.

The coal-based units comprise a capacity of 38,150 MW in Central, state and private sectors for R&M/LE works up to June, 2033. Besides, 241 hydro units having capacity of 12,183.1 MW have been identified for R&M/LE works for 2022-27.

R&M/LE works have been completed in eight thermal power units, having total capacity of 1,197 MW during 2017-22 in both state and Central sectors, while works have been completed in 35 hydro units, aggregating to 2,049.4 MW in Central and state sector for the same period.

The R&M of thermal power plants allows for augmenting with latest technology to improve operational performance such as output, reliability, ease of maintenance and minimising inefficiencies and outage. The LE programme enables carrying out specific life assessment studies of critical components with an aim to increase the life beyond the design economic life of 25 years.