Andaman and Nicobar Islands to get Gas Plant

In News

• Recently, The Environment Ministry has approved an exemption to the laws governing the regulation of coastal zones and has paved the way for gas-powered plants to be set up at Andaman and Nicobar islands. 

About the gas plant

• The Plant:
  • It will be a gas-based power plant at Hope Town in Andaman & Nicobar Islands to provide clean energy.
  • The plant is expected to work on “dual fuel technology i.e., through Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or High-Speed Diesel (HSD) or single fuel (LNG)”.
• Location:
  • The plant will come up in South Andaman district’s Ferrargunj tehsil.
• Developed by:
  • It is to be developed by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
• National Coastal Zone Management Authority:
  • The NCZMA has recommended that gas-based power plants be permitted within the Island Coastal Regulation Zone area only in islands with geographical areas greater than 100 sq. km.
• Issues:
  • The Island Coastal Zone Regulation (ICRZ), 2019, limits infrastructure development on vulnerable coastal stretches.
• Significance of the move:
  • To meet the energy requirement of the islanders while reducing the dependency on highly polluting sources such as conventional diesel generators (DG sets) was given prime consideration.
  • There has been an increased interest in the development of the Andaman region following a policy push by the NITI Ayog.
  • A proposed project is to develop the Greater Andaman region or the southernmost stretch of islands. 

Source: TH