Coal news and updates

CIL’s coal supplies to private generation cos decline in Q1

July 17: Supplies from Coal India Ltd (CIL) to private power generation companies declined consistently during the first three months of 2014-15, a ministry official said.

“CIL had supplied 4.07 million tons (mt) of coal to private sector power generation companies in March 2014, which fell to 3.38 mt in April and further to 3.66 mt in May,” the official said.

“Details of coal supply by CIL to private sector power generation companies are yet to be compiled,” the official added.

Meanwhile, CIL’s coal production during the first three months of 2014-15 also fell consistently and the percentage of actual production as compared to the target too has declined.

The company, which has a target to produce 507.00 mt of coal in 2014-15, had produced 53.40 mt in March as compared to the targeted 52.71 mt.

However, its production in April fell to 37.51 mt, which was not only significantly down as compared to that in March, but also down from the target of 37.61 for April.

The following table gives details of CIL’s coal production target, actual production and percentage achieved and supplies to private power generation companies (in mt):

A senior official from CIL attributed five reasons for the shortfall in coal production during the first three months of 2014-15.

• Law and order problem at MCL and CCL
• Delay in getting forest and environmental clearances.
• Frequent breakdown of draglines at NCL and WCL, causing less exposure of coal.
• Less transportation of coal by ESM (ex-service men) companies in SECL, and

Lastly, restriction of working hours from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm imposed by the government of Odisha at MCL due to the heat wave, the official added.