Even as the state has witnessed a huge decline in the power demand, private- as well government-run thermal power plants in Punjab continues to witness the shortage of coal in their stock.
The demand for power in Punjab has declined to around 6,500MW. On Friday, the power demand touched 6,631MW and around 1,400 lakh units were supplied. During this year’s peak season, the state had witnessed demand beyond 15,000MW.
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) blames the snag in coal supply as a reason behind low stock of coal with the power plants. However, sources in the power sector claimed that one of the private plants in Punjab was not maintaining the stock following financial constraints.
Sources revealed that both Ropar and Lehra have three days coal stock while the private plants have around two days coal stock if run on full load. Both state-run power plants at Ropar and Lehra Mohabbat are shutdown and both the units of GVK private power plant also shut operations from October 18 and October 21, respectively, following coal shortage. The two private plants in the state are operating according to the instructions and requirement of PSPCL.
Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL) spokesperson said they have sufficient coal stock to meet the power demand and requirement of PSPCL and despite daily consumption, the stock is sufficient, as more coal rakes are reaching the plant.
Meanwhile, an official at GVK, on request of anonymity, said coal was not being purchased, as they were facing financial constraints and they have less than two days’ coal stock. The power plants in Punjab are supposed to maintain 30 days coal stock according to CEA guidelines.
The Union ministry of power has advised all the coal-based thermal generating stations to maintain adequate coal stock according to their obligations. In the case of domestic coal shortage, the generators can blend the imported coal up to 15% with domestic coal, wherever technically feasible, to meet the increased power demand in the country.
V K Gupta spokesperson of All India Power Engineer Federation, said the blending of imported coal up to 15% by private generators will increase the cost of supply. He added, “Moreover, the private generators are not covered under the CAG audit. It may be mentioned that the investigations of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) regarding forged documents of imported coal by IPPs and particularly by Adani, are pending decision in the Supreme Court. Further, there are two aggravating factors. The global prices of coal have increased, which would make import a costly option. Moreover, the coal production in India has stagnated in past three years while the demand is increasing every year.”
PSPCL director, generation, Paramjeet Singh said, “We will maintain the stock in accordance with guidelines once the coal supply situation improves.”