OPGC, NTPC plants face critical coal stock

OPGC said inadequate supplies from Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd were responsible for depleting stock

Coal-fired power plants of Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), the only state owned thermal power producer and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) are battling critical coal stock.

While OPGC's Ib valley plant near Jharsuguda has total stock of 26610 tonne of coal that would last for barely four days, the 3,000 Mw super thermal power station (STPS) of NTPC at Kaniha has 2,79,600 tonne coal stock set to last only five days.

OPGC said inadequate supplies from Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) were responsible for the depleting stock.

"We are facing critical coal stock due to less supplies from MCL. Also, there are issues with the coal quality. Less coal stock and bad quality is hurting our output and we are not able to take our PLF (plant load factor) beyond 85 per cent. If quality deteriorates, it will have a bearing on power production. Now, with the monsoon season setting in, our power station needs to build up adequate coal stock. We can operate the power station at full capacity if we get coal with GCV (gross calorific value) of 3,000 cal/KWH”, said Venkatachalam Kuppusami, managing director, OPGC.

OPGC needs around 8,000 tonne coal daily to run its two 210 Mw units.

The NTPC STPS is also reeling under critical stock due to lesser imports. Around 53,000 tonne of coal is needed to operate the pithead 3,000 Mw station.

NTPC's Talcher Thermal Power Station with 470 Mw capacity, is, however, in a comfortable position with 24 days coal stock. The thermal power stations of Sterlite Energy (2,400 Mw) and GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd (350 Mw) have stock for nine and 20 days respectively.