Coal news and updates

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)'s Talcher Super Thermal Power Station authorities have shut down two 500 MW units of its 3,000 MW Kaniha power plant due to shortage of coal.

 

The plant was sourcing coal from Lingaraj coal mine and Kaniha coal mine of the Mahanadi coalfields Limited (MCL).

 

The coal scarcity has hit the production of the power plant, the second largest power complex in NTPC, forcing it to generate only 1,800 MW against the full capacity of 3,000 MW on Wednesday. Executive director of the Talcher plant VB Fadnavis told TOI, "The plant was getting less than 33,000 metric tonnes of coal daily for the last three days against the requirement of 55,000 tonnes coal to run all six units in full load. The coal stock has plummeted to a record low of 33,000 tones."

 

NTPC received 33,538 metric tonnes of coal. As a result, the authorities shut down one unit of 500 MW. Another unit was shut down for overhauling process, the executive director maintained.

 

Of the 3,000 MW, NTPC Kaniha is generating 1,800 MW, he said. On Tuesday, the production was 1,400 MW. The officials feared that other units may be shut if the situation does not improve in the coming days.

 

On the other hand, MCL authorities cited different reason for shortage of coal supply to NTPC.

 

Dickens Mehra, the MCL PRO said, "NTPC has an outstanding of Rs 200 crore to pay to MCL. In this quarter, MCL had to supply 41,700 tonnes of coal according to the agreement. We are still supplying coal to NTPC despite its outstanding amount with MCL."

 

NTPC is receiving coal through merry-go-round (MGR) system, he said.

 

Because of shortage of coal leading to short fall of power production at NTPC's Kaniha plant, which supplies power to 15 states, most of them in south and north-east India, has cut down supply to its feeding states.

 

Executive director of the Talcher plant said, "We have no knowledge about any outstanding payment with MCL. The quality of coal supplied by MCL is of low grade. We have lodged a complaint with their authorities on the issue. However, we are talking to the officials concerned to sort out the issue soon."

 

Source: ToI