State miner Coal India (CIL) has signed 157 fuel supply agreements (FSAs) so far for a generation capacity of 71,145 MW, the coal ministry said Monday.
Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil informed parliament in a written reply that these are "in addition to FSAs signed in respect of power plants commissioned before 31st March, 2009," a ministry statement here said.
"Government has recently approved coal supplies to thermal power plants (TPPs) which are commissioned/to be commissioned by 31st March, 2015," it added.
As per the New Coal Distribution Policy 2007, Coal India has to supply coal to power plants with which it has signed the FSAs.
The minister informed parliament that CIL has been despatching more than 90 percent of the quantity committed under fuel FSAs or memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
"During the last three years, despatches to power utilities have been 91 percent, 91 percent and 92 percent of the targets in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively," Patil said, adding that coal dispatches in 2013 up to October were 87 percent.
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As per the coal stock report of the Central Electricity Authority as of Nov 28, 2013, the coal stock position of thermal power plants was 16.03 million tonnes as against 9.19 million tonnes during last year.
"However, there are a few power plants with source of fuel other than linked coal from CIL, which may be impacted because of non-availability of adequate of coal," the minister added.