Stating that it has been monitoring coal stock position with power plants on a regular basis, the Coal Ministry today said that the plants have stocks equivalent to seven days.
"Ministry of Coal is regularly reviewing the coal stock position with the power plants of the country ...As on October 26, power plants had 8.13 million tonnes of coal stocks, which is equivalent to seven days' stock," it said in a statement.
As per the data released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), 33 power plants with a total generation capacity of 39,054 MW across the country were facing acute fuel shortage and have coal stocks for less than four days.
Power plants usually maintain 10-15 days of coal stock. The situation is considered critical if the reserves fall below seven days of stock.
The Coal Ministry said that out of the 33 power stations which are having less than four days stock, as on October 26, four are located in Andhra Pradesh and eight in West Bengal.
"Due to strike in Singareni Collieries Company, the coal supplies to the power plants of Andhra Pradesh were affected and now that the strike has been called off, regular coal supply from SCCL has been restored. However, it will take some more time for these plants to build up coal stocks," it said.
"The power plants of West Bengal have been regulating their coal supplies from ECL due to huge outstanding payments payable to the coal company and increase in the cost of higher grade of coal being supplied to these plants," it added.
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The ministry said that troubles being faced by the four plants in Tamil Nadu would also be sorted out shortly.
"There are five power pithead plants where there is coal stock of less than four days. Coal is being moved to these plants through Merry-Go-Round [MGR] and are nearer to the mines. Therefore, building of huge stocks in such power stations is generally not done," it said.
The ministry also said coal companies have been advised to ensure priority movement of coal to the power stations of the country so as to improve the power generation and to build up stocks.