GAIL Halts Gas Supply To Yelahanka Power Plant
- GAIL halts gas supply to Yelahanka plant amid natural gas shortage
- Gas supply halt to Yelahanka power plant may affect Karnataka power generation
Hyderabad: GAIL halts gas supply to the Yelahanka gas based power plant in Bengaluru from March 12 at 6 AM, officials in the Energy Ministry confirmed on Thursday. The sudden halt in supply may affect power generation at the plant, which plays a key role in supplying electricity to Bengaluru.
The Yelahanka plant has a capacity of 370 Mega Watt and was set up by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited. It is the state’s only gas based power generation facility. Therefore, any disruption in natural gas supply can affect its electricity output.
Officials said the Yelahanka gas based unit has been operating continuously since December last year. The plant was set up mainly to supply electricity to Bengaluru. However, the ongoing shortage of natural gas may affect the plant’s operations and power production.
Meanwhile, the shortage of natural gas has been linked to the West Asia conflict. Officials stated that the conflict involving Israel and Iran has disrupted LPG supplies across the country. As a result, the Central government decided to prioritise natural gas allocation for certain sectors.
The Centre issued a gazette notification on Tuesday that sets priorities for natural gas allocation during the shortage. Under this system, domestic consumption has been given the highest priority. Transport and fertiliser sectors have been placed in the next level of priority.
However, power generation has been placed at the lowest priority in the allocation list. Therefore, gas supply to power plants like the Yelahanka unit may remain restricted until the natural gas shortage eases.
Officials also said the Natural Gas Supply Regulation Order 2026 issued under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 has been invoked. This order allows the government to regulate natural gas distribution during shortages.
Under the new priority system, domestic Piped Natural Gas, LPG production, CNG for transport and essential pipeline operations must receive 100 percent of their average gas consumption from the past six months. Fertiliser plants fall in the second category and will receive about 70 percent of their usual gas supply.
Industrial and commercial consumers fall under the third category. City Gas Distribution companies that supply gas to industries and commercial users are in the fourth category. These sectors will receive 80 percent of their average consumption.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has been using all available power sources to maintain electricity supply. Officials said the state’s daily electricity demand currently stands at around 355 million units. This demand is being met through thermal and hydel plants, solar and wind energy, and power drawn from the Central grid.
The state is also meeting part of its electricity demand through power exchange arrangements with Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. However, officials warned that further reduction in gas supply to the Yelahanka plant could lead to minor disruptions in power supply.
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