Frequent disruptions at Mahanadi Coalfields have affected coal production in Odisha creating problem for power plants to maintain the coal stocks. Several power plants like NTPC, GMR group and state owned Odisha Power Generation Company have reported a decline in coal stock resulting from the dearth of coal supplies.
Data collected from the National Power Portal indicates that coal stock at NTPC’s 3000 MW Talcher power station has depleted to a minimal stock, sufficient for 1-2 days of power generation.
Similarly, GMR’s Kamalanga Plant has reported coal stock available for one day of power generation at its vicinity. While coal stock at Odisha’s state utility IB Valley power was assessed to last for six days.
As per the sources, coal supplies were largely affected due to the agitation by protesters at major mines-Balram and Bharatpur, wherein production was hugely hampered.
Most of the disruptions were seen at Talcher coal fields, where the situation has not yet been put in normalcy thereby limiting the mining work to operate in full swing.
Sources aware of the situation have reported that the present coal supplies had have a drastic affect on NTPC’s power plant which was operating at part load condition by generating 2100 MW against its full load capacity of 3000 MW. As a matter of fact, Talchar power plant was receiving 38,000 MT of coal instead of its normative coal requirement of 55,000 MT.
The prevailing coal crisis not only applies to the power plants, but had also gasp Aluminium giant NALCO, which has been facing acute shortage of coal. The company has reported receipt of 8,000-9,000 MT coal against the allotted quantity of 17,000 MT.
Officials from NALCO have highlighted that amid acute coal supplies several electrolytic pots have already been closed, and could pave the way for others if the coal crisis pertains.
The ongoing coal shortage is likely to affect the smooth operation of several end-user industries, which requires instant remedy from MCL to address.
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