Punjab: Dwindling coal stocks in 2 thermal plants

Patiala Nov 8: The power position in Punjab may worsen due to dwindling coal stock position in two thermal plants of state that has come under the 'super critical category'.

According to Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) sources the coal stock at Ropar thermal plant is 34,000 tonnes and it is just sufficient for one and a half day. The coal stock at Bhatinda thermal plant is also for three days and comes under the super critical position.

The position at Lehra Mohabatt Thermal Plant comes under critical category but is slightly better than Ropar and Bhatinda.

The daily coal requirements at Ropar thermal plant is around 20,000 tonnes where as it is 8200 tonnes for Bhatinda thermal plant and 15,800 tonnes for Lehra Mohabatt thermal plant.

According to sources, the power utilities are facing an acute shortage of coal at its projects across the country and persistent law and order problems at Central Coalfield Limited (CCL) had adversely affected dispatch to most of the thermal plants in the region. Law and order problems have resulted in loss of coal production, damage to properties and fatalities, the sources said.

The main reason for coal shortage at thermal plants is less receipt from coal companies. According to Central Electricity Authority sources Central Coalfield Limited is supplying less coal for thermal plants in Punjab and Haryana.

In the adjoining Haryana the coal stock at thermal plants at Yamunanagar continues to be negligible for the last 20 days and plant is running on basis of daily coal receipt.

In the northern region there are 13 thermal plants which have a coal stock of less than four days and come under super critical category. These include Suratgarh Thermal plant in Rajasthan, NTPC plants at Annpara, Rihand, Singrauli, Tanda and Unchahaar , Panki , Parichha in Uttar Pardesh, Yamunanagar thermal plant in Haryana and Ropar and Bhatinda thermal plants of Punjab.

As per Central Electricity Authority parameters if coal stock is less than 7 days it comes under critical poison and if coal stock is less than 4 days it becomes super critical. Every thermal plant is supposed to keep a coal stock of 25 days.

UNI