26 thermal plants grapples with coal shortages
December 19, 2012 11:09 AM

By Vinod Gupta
CHANDIGARH: 26 thermal plants of the country are grappling with coal shortage with less than 4 days coal stock while in Punjab coal from PANEM mines has reached its thermal plants. Central Electricity Authority report of December 16 maintains that over a third of the 90 thermal power stations that are being monitored with total capacity of around 57000 MW are running at critical stock levels with coal stock of less than seven days. 26 plants worth nearly 36,000 MW capacities with less than 4 days stock are running practically from hand to mouth.
In Punjab dwindling coal stocks at three thermal plants which were a cause of worry for PSPCL is relieved after coal from PANEM mines has reached its thermal plants. 8 coal rakes were received yesterday at Ropar thermal plant and 6 were received day before yesterday. The coal stock at plant is now sufficient for 8.4 days. At Lehra Mohabatt coal stock is for 12 days while at Bhatinda is 14 days stock.
The coal shortage at many super thermal plants is also very critical. This includes 1320 MW Jhajjar thermal plant in Haryana where unit no. 2 is under forced outage due to coal shortage since November 14.At Jhajjar coal stock is just sufficient for 2 days and at Panipat coal stock is for 4 days. Khedar has 7 days coal stock.
The coal shortage at many super thermal plants is also very critical. This includes 1320 MW Jhajjar thermal plant in Haryana where unit no. 2 is under forced outage due to coal shortage since November 14.At Jhajjar coal stock is just sufficient for 2 days and at Panipat coal stock is for 4 days. Khedar has 7 days coal stock.
The other major super thermal plants with less than 4 days coal stock are Vindhyachal (3760 MW), Talcher S (3,000 MW),Sipat (2,980 MW) ,Korba (2,600 MW),Ramagundem (2,600 MW) ,Farakka (2,100 MW),Singrauli (2,000 MW) and Simhadri (2,000 MW).
According to CEA, inadequate coal supply from Coal India has been cited as one of the major reasons for the coal crunch facing the thermal sector. This irregular and short supply of coal has thus, forced several power stations to operate below their installed capacities.
On Tuesday Parliament was informed that Ministry of Coal is addressing the coal shortage issue by taking up the same with concerned authorities at State level and Central level on regular basis with a view to expedite pending clearances and also with Ministry of Railways regarding pending rail projects for coal evacuation.