NTPC’s Coal-Fired Power Plants Face Crisis Due To Coal Shortage In India

Published: 01-May-2009

By: Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer

NTPC Limited’s (NTPC) 1,840 megawatts (MW) Kahalgaon thermal power plant located in Bihar is one of nearly 30 coal-based power stations in India that are facing a coal shortage as they have enough stock that will fulfill their demand for less than a week, CEA reported. CEA’s information revealed that the coal stock at the Kahalgoan plant is enough for less than three days on account of low supply from Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL).

The firm’s West Bengal-based 1,600 MW Farakka thermal power plant has 10 days of coal stock left. A thermal power station’s minimum fuel storage prerequisite is 22 days.

The two power stations are supplied coal by Raj Mahal coal mines, with a present 10.5 million tons capacity and a plan to increase this capacity to 17 million tons. NTPC can only garner roughly 3,800 tons (6-7 rakes) of coal from the railways.

A senior power ministry official said “We are trying to see how it (coal shortage) can be met ... exploring options to meet the requirement of these NTPC power plants.”

ECL’s Merry-Go-Round MGR system is used to supply fuel to these power stations. The MGR system cannot take over 11 rakes per day.

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