The stock position of coal at thermal power plants remains critical as more than half of the generating stations have less than a week’s fuel stock.
As per the latest data (September 29) by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), 56 coal-based power plants reported critical fuel stocks of less than seven days.
As many as 11 power stations were left with nil stocks on the day, according to the data.
Of the 56 stations, 33 had less than four days of stockpiles. It included10 power stations run by NTPC.
NTPC plants include Indira Gandhi thermal power station in Haryana, Rihand, Singrauli, Tanda and Unchahar plants in Uttar Pradesh, Korba and Sipat (Chhattisgarh), Farakka and Durgapur (West Bengal) and Kahalgaon in Bihar.
As per the reasons given by the CEA, all the power projects of NTPC and most of the 11 stations (with nil stocks) received fewer supplies from Coal India during the period.
Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal had said the coal materialisation to the power sector was 87 per cent in the first quarter of the current financial year.
According to an official, coal production at the mines of Eastern Coalfields Ltd., Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. and Central Coalfields Ltd is likely to improve only post the festive season.
Land acquisition problems, delays in getting environment and forest clearances and bottlenecks in coal transportation through railways had time and again affected fuel stocks at thermal power stations, he said.
