27 power stations have less than 7-day coal stock

Twenty seven thermal power plants in the country are grappling with acute coal shortage with each of them having stocks that will last only a for a week, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

The power sector planning body also termed this situation as "critical".

Of the 27 plants, 16 have coal stocks that will not last more than four days, according to the latest coal stock positron data (as on March 7) available with CEA.

"Though there are many reasons, ranging from renovation work to higher generation, for this critical situation, but one of the major reasons is less receipt of dry fuel from the mines," CEA said.

As compared to the February data, the situation has improved a little bit.

The number of plants with less than a week's stock were 33 in February and the plants with less than four-day stock were 15 last month.

The prime reason for acute fuel scarcity at plants remain less supplies from Coal India due to fewer output.

To meet the coal demand of electricity generation companies, Power and Coal Ministry have been deliberating on the issue of pooling prices of imported and domestic coal to arrive at an average price of the raw material.

Once the pricing mechanism of importer coal is finalised, power companies will sign fuel supply pact with Coal India.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) last month had given "in-principle" approval for averaging of prices of domestic and imported coal to get a uniform feedstock price.

CCEA had asked coal and power ministries to come up with specifics of the proposal.