Covid-19 to further paralyse cash flow, coal supply chain of power units

Power demand continues to fall while surplus coal lies unused at their sites; non-pithead units impacted most

Thermal power units in the country are likely to ne cash-strapped as power demand continues to fall while surplus coal lies unused at their sites. Sector experts believe the double trouble is likely to stay for the coming three quarters and could hurt the supply chain from coal to power despatch.
 

Non-pithead power generation units (those located away from coal mines) have 34 days' coal stock but most of them are under reserved shutdown. The average plant load factor (PLF) or operating ratio of thermal units has fallen to decade low of 58 per cent last fiscal – indicating demand