The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco) has created a coal inventory and floated import tenders to overcome the possible decline in coal supply to its seven thermal power stations during the April-June period.
The plan aims at averting coal supply-related power crisis during the peak summer months as was seen in April last year when Mahagenco’s buffer coal stock had dwindled alarmingly due to constraints in the supply chain.
The Mahagenco move also gains importance in view of the Union power ministry’s alert of a possible decline in coal supply from 222 million tonnes to 201 million tonnes during the peak summer months due to constraints in railway logistics. The alert was sent out to all the states in the third week of March, wherein the ministry exhorted the states to ensure adequate coal stock during the three months.
Mahagenco buys over 42 million tonnes of coal annually from four state-owned firms, including Western Coalfields, Mahanadi Coalfields, South Eastern Coalfields Ltd and Singareni Collieries Company.
Explaining the plan in place, senior Mahagenco officials said the power generation firm has started creating coal inventory, which is presently over 17 lakh tonnes. During the corresponding period last year, the coal backup was over 5 lakh tonnes.
“The transportation of coal by rail slows down during the three-month period as additional passenger trains are run in view of the holiday season. Mahagenco would like over 30 rakes ferrying coal daily to the state during the three months. But depending on the availability of the rakes and the transportation time, the number of rakes carrying coal could drop to less than 20. In such a situation, the backup we are creating would help us in generating power,” said a Mahagenco official.
The official said more than 3,800 metric tonnes of coal is carried in one rake.
Besides, the power utility has floated tenders inviting bids to import 2.8 million tonnes of coal as compared to 2 million tonnes last year.
According to the Mahagenco officials, the Union power ministry has allowed the firm to blend up to 6% of imported coal with the domestic supply. “This will help the power utility in ensuring steady coal backup,” another Mahagenco official said.
Of Mahagenco’s present generation of over 8,000 MW daily, about 6,500-7,000 MW comes from the seven thermal power stations. Mahagenco’s daily coal consumption currently stands at about 1.2 lakh tonnes. The remaining is generated through gas, hydro and solar facilities.
The state’s daily power requirement is 26,000-27,000 MW, including Mumbai. The additional requirement is met through the central pool and purchases from private power firms.
Mahagenco’s independent director Vishwas Pathak told TOI that the power utility was monitoring the coal stock and its daily supply closely. “Our plan will ensure that there is no shortage of coal in the state during the peak summer months,” he said.
