Coal shortages continue to haunt thermal power stations

Nagging coal shortages continue to affect generation at major thermal power stations across the country. According to the latest available estimates, as of April 12, 2010, 18 thermal stations were facing 'critical' coal stocks, with fuel in these plants expected to last less than seven days. Of these, the coal stocks position in 9 stations have been designated as very critical, where stocks are expected to sustain operations for less than four days, according to the latest data on coal stock positions compiled by the the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The stations facing critical coal stocks include NTPC's 2,340 MW Kahalgaon thermal power station (TPS) in Bihar, 3,000 MW Talcher TPS in Orissa, Damodar Valley Corporation's (DVC) 1,340 MW Mejia, including the coal-based power units of West Bengal Power Development Corporation at Kolaghat, Bakreswar, Santaldih and Sagardighi, amongst others.

Unsurprisingly, these shortages are on account of a lower receipt of coal from Coal India Limited (CIL), higher than anticipated power generation at some stations and delay in imports. The impact is most pronounced in the eastern and western regions. The east has the maximum number of stations facing coal shortages, at nine, of which seven have very critical stocks. In the western region, six of the 19 stations are critical, of which two face very critical stocks. Under normal conditions, thermal power plants are expected to hold coal stocks that can sustain 15 to 30 days of operations, depending on the location of the project. While pithead stations require less stock, of 15 days or more, power plants located away from mines are expected to hold coal stocks equivalent to 21-30 days of operations.