Coal India Limited now
has to produce 220 million tonnes (MT) more of coal to meet the supply for 20 years
to power plants of 50,000 mega watt (Mw), as directed by the Prime Minister's
Office (PMO) that would be commissioned by March 2015. CIL will not give
imports a priority and is facing environmental problems, experts do not anticipate
things to work out smoothly.
“In 2009-10, we had
supplied 298 MT to the power sector. In 2010-11, it increased to 304 MT and
this financial year we expect to supply 310 MT, though our target was 347 MT.
During the financial year 2012-13, we are keeping the same target and are
anticipating to meet it. However, if we have to supply an additional 50,000 Mw,of
power we need another 220 MT of coal,” said H K Vaidya, chief general manager
(sales and marketing), CIL. According to experts, 4.4 MT of coal is needed for
every 1,000 Mw of power generated.
The addition of 220 MT
is difficult due to the ecvironmental issues. According to reports, at least
131 proposals are awaiting stage-I forestry clearance I, 49 projects are
waiting for stage-II of forestry clearance and74 projects stuck at different
levels of environment clearances, a top CIL official said. The group of
Ministers is likely tO meet on the 1st of March to discuss the
environmental issues.
On fuel supply
agreements (FSAs), H K Vaidya said, “We never said no to any power firm
regarding FSAs. After 2009, we have signed at least nine FSAs for new power stations
for a period of five years. At present, we are having FSAs with about 80 of the
existing power plants.” The PMO also made it clear that if CIL does not fulfill
the target it would be imposed with penalty.
Leave a Reply