1868 MU generation loss by thermal plants in October-CEA
Vinod Kumar Gupta, 18-Nov-2011 .

1868 MU generation loss by thermal plants in October-CEA

Friday November 18, 2011

New Delhi

Thermal power stations across the country reported loss of 1868 million units (MU) generation on account of coal shortages during October’ 2011 whereas 4 thermal plants including Lehra Mohabatt in Punjab achieved more than 103.13 % plant load factor.

Central Electrical Authority in its report has today claimed that had there been no coal shortages, the actual thermal generation during October’2011would have been 60686 MU with achievement of 101.86% with respect to the program and a growth rate of over. The cumulative loss of generation from thermal plants, due to coal shortage and low system demand was about 5328 MU and 5590 MU respectively.

The generation from the coal based plants during April-October’11 was less as compared with the program by 6188 MU mainly on account of coal shortages. The total thermal generation was 97.50% of the program during the current financial year. The PLF of coal based plants considerably decreased by 4.52% during October’11.

During the current financial year 2011-12, the anticipated gap between the requirement and availability of domestic coal was estimated around 54 MT. Out of 54 MT, 35 MT of coal was to be met through import of coal,for which all the utilities have been advised to take necessary action and rest 20 MT of coal was the requirements of power plants designed on imported coal.

Coal dispatch by CIL to the power utilities in the current financial year up to October 2011 was approximately 89% of the target with a negative growth as compared to the targeted growth of around 13%.

During the month of October’11, coal requirement of 37.9 MT was estimated. However only 30 MT of coal was made available to the thermal power station. As on October 31, 47 thermal power stations had critical stock including 32 stations with super critical stock i.e. stock for less than 4 days. The main reasons for coal shortages are inadequate receipt of coal and transportation problems.

New power stations which are affected due to non- supply of coal are Chhabra Unit-2 of RRVUNL, Durgapur Steel Unit 1 and Mejia Unit 6 of DVC, Sipat Unit-1, Kahalgaon Unit-7, Farakka Unit 6 and Korba Unit 6 of NTPC and Budge-Budge Unit 3 of CESC..