India explores using costly gas-fired power to meet peak demand

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India is exploring the idea of using gas-fired power plants only to meet the surge of electricity demand during the peak summer months of May and June due to higher costs, an adviser to the power ministry said on Tuesday. The share of gas in India's power generation has fallen to about 1.5% from 3% in 2020, as prices have hit $12 per million British thermal units and ranged between $8 and $18 over the last two years, meaning other forms of generation are much cheaper. More carbon-intensive coal-fired generation typically accounts for about 75% of India's electricity mix.