Power stations stare at acute coal shortage

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: The country is heading towards more power shortfall as coal-based power stations with generation capacity of over 70,000 mw are reeling under severe coal shortage. Of the 77 stations being monitored by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), as on November 27, nearly 51 stations had coal stocks of less than seven days while 33 stations had stock of less than four days. According to the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) report, so far 5.6 billion units have been lost by these power stations by October due to unavailability of adequate coal. There are peaking shortages at the level of 14% while energy shortages are at 8%. There are indications that the crisis may escalate further also because of coal deficit.

The ministry sources said the power ministry has asked generation utilities to import 25 million tonne in 2009-10 and accordingly place necessary orders in January. Railways and shipping authorities have been requested to make necessary arrangements for coal movement to coal-based power plants.

The power ministry sources told FE, “A high-level meeting recently took place at the Planning Commission. The coal ministry informed that Coal India and its subsidiaries have been asked to increase their coal production by 6 million tonne from the original estimate of 313 million tonne for 2008-09. Besides, Coal India proposes to import 4 million tonne of coal to overcome coal shortage in the country. The coal ministry hopes that the situation will improve in next six months.”

However, sources said the ministry also cited that generation utilities have also failed to implement their plans to import coal and it has further added fuel to the problem.

Former power secretary RV Shahi said, “The problem of coal shortages faced by various plants can be tackled by increasing coal production by CIL and its subsidiaries and importing coal. During my tenure power and coal secretaries laid emphasis on the weekly monitoring of coal supply situation.

Besides, generation utilities were given a timely schedule of coal import though some of them were reluctant to import.”