Coal news and updates

SLC-LT to discuss key issues in power, cement, sponge iron on Feb 21

February 20: The meeting of the Standing Linkage Committee (Long-Term) for Power, Sponge/Cement Sectors for reviewing the status of the existing LoA and coal linkages, which is slated to be held on February 21, 2014, will discuss some key issues.

In power, a key topic would be the formulation of guidelines for considering requests from project developers for change in the name, management structure/ control.

Another topic would be Vandana Vidhyut's request for converting from CPP to an IPP its 8-MW rice husk based biomass plant. As per the copy of the linkage application provided by the developer, the power generated was to be consumed by the erstwhile Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board and private parties -- Vandana Industries Ltd, Vandana Ispat Ltd and Vandana Udhyog Ltd. It had not been indicated in the applications whether it was for a CPP or IPP. The agreement the company had entered into with MPSEB also indicated consumption of power generated towards "captive consumption/ sale to third party/sale to MPSEB.

In sponge iron, there will be a review of the pending LoAs for steel and sponge iron plants while in cement, issues with regard to acceptance of fresh applications seeking LoAs in the cement sector will be discussed among other key topics.

For more details, readers can check the Ministry of Coal website.