>> Coal stocks at power plants in India have increased substantially in the recent days due to the efforts of the Coal Ministry to ensure high rake loading. In the last 15 days, more than 300 rakes per day had been loaded, and as a result around 14.5 MnT of coal stock was accumulated at power stations as on 5Feb’18 as compared with 8.5 MnT in 30Sep’18.
>> The prospect of solar tariffs falling below INR 2 per unit and the sliding storage costs have posed a potential threat to the Thermal Power Plants (TPP) in India, says a recent report by Coal India Limited. The likelihood of replacement of several TPPs with solar power plants looms large, according to the report.
Moreover, in the report CIL says that unless costly coal mines are retired and the coal prices are corrected downwards, domestic sales are likely to remain stagnant or even fall.
>> In China, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has initiated measures to enhance coal quality. Among the measures, coal companies will be encouraged to close down inefficient and polluting mines, and replace those with larger ones if certain standards will be met.
Coal companies which agree to sign long-term contracts with power plants or to set up joint ventures with power companies will be allowed to expand their capacities by 130-300%.
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