Centre’s coal import directive an ‘additional load’ on Discoms – AIPEF
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ October 26,2023
The centre has increased the additional load on thermal plants by increasing the blending of imported coal to 6 per cent and this additional burden should be borne by centre and not the consumers, said V K Gupta spokesperson All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF).
The Union Ministry of Power on Wednesday issued a revised directive that all generating companies operating thermal power plants should import 6 percent of coal instead of 4% till March 2024 to meet any shortfall in domestic coal supply . The Ministry has also extended up to June 24 the compulsory operation of power plants using imported coal.
As per press release of government of India ,the total coal stock as on 21st October, 2023 is 71.35 million tonnes as against 60.44 MT last year. This is an increase of 12.73 per cent. At present daily coal supply is more than consumption. The Ministry of Coal has ensured normal production of coal during festival season by offering higher wages to the contractual workers.
With the Ministry of Power highlighting a deficit in coal supply to thermal power plants owing to the various reasons including congested and inadequate railway network, has increased the blending of imported coal in thermal power plants by 6% by weight till March 2024. However, the Ministry of Coal claims that it has no supply issues from its end and has adequate availability of coal for meeting the increasing energy demand in the country. This has left many questions about the actual state of coal supply in India.
Centre’s coal import directive an ‘additional load’ on Discoms – AIPEF. As per daily coal report of October 24 by CEA there are 74 thermal plants using domestic coal across the country which have coal stock positions in critical categories. Amongst 74 thermal plants with critical coal stock only 31 are in the state sector, 20 of NTPC , 4 of DVC and balance 31 of independent power producers.
It seems that projected shortage is due to lack of coordination between power ,coal and railway ministry and in such a situation, putting an additional load of imported coal on the thermal power plants of the state is not appropriate
