Union Govt Acts To Ease Coal Supply To Thermal Power Plants Amid Rising Power Demand

Taking a detailed and comprehensive review of the coal stock position at individual thermal power plants (TPPs), Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy RK Singh held an extensive review meeting.

Representatives from the Ministry of Power (MOP), Ministry of Coal, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Railways, and the power PSUs have participated in the meeting where the minister directed the officials to work in a coordinated manner to streamline the stock and supply of coal, in anticipation of the rising energy demand.

Compared to August 2019 (112.9 BU), energy consumption in August 2021 (129.5BU) has increased by 15 per cent, while the share of thermal and lignite based generation increased by 21 per cent.

The Power Minister reviewed the day-wise status of power requirement and withdrawal from the grid state wise.

He also reviewed the coal stocks’ status and also the Hydro Power generation. He went into reasons for shortfalls in power generation across power generation units.

The minister also asked the power secretary to look at the possibility of reducing the benchmark of 14 days of coal stocks to a standard of ten days of coal stocks for identification of plants to divert coal to plants with extremely depleted stocks.

Singh wanted the power ministry to hold an independent review for power plants with captive mines to ensure maximum use of coal by these power plants.

He also directed ministry officials to look more into blending imported and indigenous coal for better economics if importing was the requirement for such plants.

The minister pointed out that rising demand for energy augurs well for the economy and is encouraging. He impressed upon the officers that energy demand is likely to increase and need to be factored in as they address the current constraints.

It was deliberated that CIL would ramp up its coal production from 600 MT to 1,000 MT by 2025-26. CIL was advised to tie up with Railways to avoid future bottlenecks in the transportation of coal in the next two years to ensure seamless movement of coal from mines to thermal power plants.