Wet coal hits power generation in state

Lucknow, Jul 1: Monsoon in Uttar Pradesh has once again created power scarcity in the state, following low generation by thermal plants due to wet coal.

Even after the import of 3,000 Mega Watt (MW) of power and additional 500 MW import made during the peak hours on high rate, the power supply stood around 5,000 MW against the normal demand of 7,000 MW daily.

UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) officials here today said the situation was very critical as due to wet coal, the generation has dipped and only 1,606 MW power was being produced by the five thermal power stations against the installed capacity of over 3,500 MW.

''Supply of wet coal from Jharkhand has created problems besides, delay in supply of coal rakes due to heavy rains in the coal belt has added worry for the thermal power stations in the state,'' officials said.

''Though there was enough reserve of coal in the power plants, but still we are monitoring the movement of the rakes and had even asked the Railways to give priority to the coal ladden trains on their way to the power plants,'' they added.

According to the latest information of power generation in the state, the Paricha thermal unit was only producing 75 MW against the installed capacity of 640 MW, while Obra unit was generating only 192 MW against 1,282 MW capacity.

Similarly, Anpara A and B were generating 1,089 MW against the capacity of 1630 MW, Panki 140 MW against 210 MW capacity and Harduaganj was generating 110 MW against 220 MW capacity.

UNI