NTPC urges state to ensure higher supply of coal from MCL

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), which aims to run its Talcher power station at higher plant load factor (PLF), has requested the state government to direct Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd, a subsidiary of Coal India (CIL) to step up coal supply over and above the assured quantity.

The Talcher unit of the power producer is currently running at 91.45 per cent PLF against the target of 95 per cent. To maintain the target for the full year, the plant needs to run at 104 per cent PLF in the balance period and hence the need for more coal.

“It is therefore requested that in addition to coal supply through conveyor belt, supply through rail rakes at two per day may please be ensured by your good office so that there will be no generation loss due to coal,” said NTPC general manager said in a recent letter addressed to the state energy secretary.

The Talcher plant of NTPC, also known as Talcher Thermal Power Station (TTPS), has an installed capacity of 460 MW, which consists of two 110 MW units and four units each of 60 MW. The entire power generated at this plant is supplied to the state grid.

The plant requires 9,500 tonne coal everyday and does not always get the desired quantity from MCL.

The power producer pleaded that since its existing stock has started falling because of higher consumption of coal to meet the power requirement of the state, it might have to curb production in absence of coal availability.

“Our stock has depleted by 120,000 tonne mainly due to less coal supply though Indian rail. We have received only 13 rakes in August and six rakes in September. Due to non-receipt of required quantity of coal, we having no other option but to reduce our generation,” said NTPC. The largest power generator is investing about Rs 7,000 crore to expand the TTPS capacity by another 1,320 MW.