The plant load factor (PLF) of National Thermal Power Corporations power plants in the eastern region has slumped to less than 45 per cent. This could affect the corporations finances as it is not permitted to recover its full fixed charges unless the PLF touches 62.8 per cent.
NTPCs three power stations in the region have a total generating capacity of 3,440 mega watts (mw).
Of this, only 2,070 mw is currently under operation. The peak generation is under 1,600 mw while the average is about 1,400 mw.
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With unit II at NTPCs Talcher plant having been brought under commercial operation, the corporation needs to generate 52 million units of energy a day to touch a PLF of 62.8 per cent. But it is being allowed to generate only 30 million units a day.
NTPC is no longer threatening to regulate its supply to regular consumers within the eastern region as that would further affect its generation level.
The Bihar state electricity board, which should open a letter of credit for Rs 54 crore to match its current level of drawal, has not increased the quantum beyond Rs 25 crore.
Similarly, the West Bengal electricity boards letter of credit is for only Rs 12 crore, although the drawal quantum should necessitate an increase to Rs 29 crore.
Orissas letter of credit is for Rs 12 crore, while its drawal is worth Rs 24 crore a month. Only the Damodar Valley Corporations Rs 13-crore letter of credit more or less matches its drawal.
Against its monthly billing of Rs 180 crore, NTPC is being paid only around Rs 100 crore. The total outstanding from eastern region consumers has now increased to Rs 1,600 crore including the interest quantum of Rs 400 crore.
Even the export of power from the eastern region has been reduced. The monsoon has caused a drop in demand in other regions.
Further, all the hydro-electric stations in the country are generating their full capacity due to the rainfall. Both these factors have resulted in a steep drop in demand for thermal power.
NTPC was earlier exporting 300 mw to Madhya Pradesh. It now finds the demand slashed to 150 mw. Andhra Pradesh and Assam, which had been importing 150 mw each, have also reduced their drawal.
The proposed export of 120 mw to the northern region has also been put on hold as additional hydro generation has reduced the northern regions import requirement.
Of the daily generation of 30 million units from NTPCs Farakka, Kahelgaon and Talcher stations, only 10 million units are now being exported.
The remaining 20 million units are consumed within the region.
NTPCs eastern region plants had recorded a PLF of less than 50 per cent in 1996-97, even as its plants elsewhere in India registered a PLF of over 80 per cent. The PLF level is expected to be even lower in 1997-98 since another 500 mw unit has commenced operations even as demand for power has declined.
NTPC is now operating all the three 200 mw units at Farakka and two of the four 210 mw units at Kahelgaon. Of the four 500 mw units two each at Farakka and Talcher NTPC is operating one machine each at the two stations.
Two 500 mw and two 210 mw units have been shut down. Even the units which are functioning are operating at much below their capacity.