[ ]
Khedar thermal plant fails to start coal generation
All attempt to revive the Khedar thermal plant in Hissar, Haryana, have failed despite receipt of coal after the end of the Jat agitation. This has been attributed to design defects in the power plant.
CJ: V K Gupta

Sat, Apr 02, 2011 14:53:45 IST

THE TWO units at RGTPP, Khedar, of 600 MW capacity each, which were under forced closure since March 9 due to non-availability of coal owing to the Jat agitation did not start generation despite receipt of coal.

According to CEA website, the coal stock at thermal plant stood at 27,000 MT on March 31, which is sufficient for two days. Despite receipt of fresh coal stock none of the two units has started generation. HPGCL had claimed last week that with the likely resumption of coal supply to RGTPP, Khedar, from Orissa’s Mahanadi Coal Fields, the units would resume generating power.

It may be mentioned that during the month of March, unit 1 generated 816 lakh units with PLF of 18.29 per cent whereas unit 2 generated only 372 lakh units with PLF of 8.34 per cent. As per CEA report Khedar thermal produced 22,868 lakh units up to February 2011 against target of 34,070 lakh units. The annual given target was 39,427 lakh units.

The decrease in generation was a result of prolonged trial runs due to frequent boiler leakages as tube lengths were more resulting in high vibrations. This design defect still persists.

Due to agitation leading to blockage of railway tracks, the coal supply to Khedar was disrupted. However, the station was not maintaining the prescribed 30 days coal stock. As a result the agitation/blockage of rail tracks for a duration of 10-15 days caused the closure of the units.

Outage of 1,200 MW capacity for 21 days continuous must be an all time record for the country. Another contributing factor besides Jat agitation was that there was an abnormal delay in placing of order for imported coal which resulted in precariously low stock position.

By contrast, the NTPC Aravali, Jhajjar station, which is located in the same area and served by the same railway system is maintaining a coal stock of over 2 lac tonnes (41 days) for one 500 MW unit, which is on commercial run. The NTPC Jhajjar unit generated 1086.4 LU during March 2011 at a PLF of 36.21 per cent.

It is well known that with onset of monsoon, coal production at CIL mines reduces. Utilities far from coal mines target to achieve/build up maximum coal stock by the end of May/beginning June so that full generation can be maintained through the monsoon months.