Benefits of Thermal Plant Flexibilisation for India’s Energy Future
Thermal plant flexibilisation and adequate transmission is the only long-term solution for higher uptake of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE)
Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are going to play a crucial role in integrating higher VRE sources in the electricity system. Nonetheless, ESS canโt replace the need for higher thermal plant flexibilisation and sufficient transmission capacity.
2025 is going to be an exceptional year for the electricity system in India
- Electricity generation declining
- Thermal generation capacity increasing
- Large-scale VRE curtailment
- Transmission capacity severely lagging
- BESS systems two years away
- Solar capacity addition in full swing
Thermal plants are running at the lowest possible plant load factor (PLF) and canโt back down further. Indian thermal plants can run between 55% and 70% Minimum Technical Load (MTL), and the November 2025 PLF is 59.13% (a slight improvement from 57.46% in October 2025).
The question is whether the ESS system alone will solve this situation
Adding BESS to thermal plants (already commissioned by NTPC for certain plants) will create temporary storage. But what will happen in a scenario like 2025, when there is no demand? ESS systems, whether with thermal plants or VRE, will not make much difference due to lack of demand. In such a scenario, only thermal plant flexibilisation can work by backing down generation.
Thermal power plant flexibilisation offers significant benefits in cost savings, climate action, and environmental protection
Thermal plant flexibilization will save coal usage by allowing higher uptake of VRE in the network. This will improve grid reliability, prevent grid curtailment of VRE, and increase greening of the grid by reducing emissions.