CHANDIGARH: The critical coal stock in a number of thermal plants in the region coupled with low water level in the reservoirs of hydro power station may pose a problem in power supply in Punjab , Haryana and Rajasthan and their dependence on power purchase from outside may increase.

As per latest report of Central Electricity Authority the coal stock in all the three private sector thermal plants of Punjab, Khedar and Panipat thermal plants of Haryana and four thermal plants of Rajasthan are in critical position.

The coal stock at 1980 MW Talwandi Sabo thermal plant is available for two days while at 1400 MW Rajpura thermal plant the stock is of six days. In Haryana 1200 MW Khedar thermal has nil stock while 920 MW Panipat thermal is of two days only. In Rajasthan 1500 MW Suratgarh thermal and Adani’s 1320 MW Kawai thermal have three days coal stock.1240 Kota thermal and 1660 MW Chhabra thermal have two and one day coal stock respectively.

The water level at Ranjit Sagar Dam is 15 meters less than the corresponding level last year whereas Bhakra reservoir level is short by about 4 meters. The RSD level is 499.56 meters against last year level of 514.59 meters. At Bhakra reservoir water level is 463.24 meters against last year level of 467.59 meters. The reduced water level at Ranjit sagar Dam and bhakra Dam implies lesser generation during summer.

In Punjab critical coal stock at private thermal plants coupled with low water levels in reservoirs the full anticipated generation may not be available from these sources. The power surplus Punjab have reportedly made arrangements for additional power and these may prove inadequate if coal stock position at thermals do not improve.

As per CEA guidelines thermal plants should have minimum 21 days coal stock before the onset of monsoon season. With start of monsoon coal mining reduces due to water logging of open cast mines . So coal stocks must be built up by mid June .

Failure of PSPCL to re start Pachhwara coal mine will hit not only PSPCL but also contribute to making coal crisis more acute in country. Pachhwara could have met about 80% of PSPCL coal requirements 4 rakes per day for Ropar and Lehra Mohabatt.

Ropar thermal and Lehra Mohabatt thermal have 37 and 46 days coal stock but they have been put on standby on no demand as sufficient power is available from other committed sources including private generators.

It may be mentioned that the post of Director Generation is lying vacant for last so many months.The selection of post of CMD PSPCL is also hanging fire though the interviews for the post were conducted last month.