NTPC to shut down 2 units at Ramagundam

Singareni Collieries production hit for second dayNTPC has decided to shut down two units of 700 MW capacity at its 2,600 MW Ramagundam plant in Andhra Pradesh from Wednesday night, as the company did not receive any coal supplies from strike-hit Singareni Collieries Company Ltd for the second day.

If coal supplies did not improve on Thursday, the power producer may take out the remaining units from Thursday night, raising fears of power shortage in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring States, if the on-going strike called in support of a separate Telengana gets prolonged. The Ramagundam unit supplies power to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, besides parts of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Power crisis

Production at SCCL was affected for the second day today, with around 60,000 employees not reporting to work.SCCL provides coal to power plants in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra with a combined capacity of over 6,000 MW.

“Towards the evening some 30-40 employees reported at our mines at Manuguru and Sattupalli in Khamam district. We hope to despatch about 12,000 tonnes by mid-night,” Mr S. Narsinga Rao, SCCL Chairman and Managing Director, told Business Line.Mr Rao said although APGenco was relatively in a comfortable position with a nearly five-day inventory, NTPC's Ramagundam unit had stocks that could barely last a day or two.

“We are assessing the situation and may come out with an alternative if the situation does not ease by tomorrow,” he said. The power crisis could be more severe in Andhra Pradesh, with APTransco saying that due to NTPC's shutdown, the State will not be getting over 800 MW from this station.“Further, the current hydro generation of 65 MU daily is also required to be reduced due to reduced inflows to Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar reservoirs,” an APTransco press release said.

In the light of this, AP Discoms are forced to improve load relief and restrictions to domestic sector in towns and villages during day time.“All efforts are being made to get additional coal from Mahanadi and Western Coal Fields,” the release added.