Panel to look into supply issues to power sector on May 31

Amid power producers facing fuel supply issues, an inter-ministerial panel on May 31 is slated to deliberate on coal linkages to the power sector.

"Standing Linkage Committee (SLC) (Long-term) for power is scheduled to meet on May 31 to review the status of achievement of milestones by the existing Letter of Assurances (LoA) holders in the power sector besides existing coal linkages," a Coal Ministry official said.

The official said that apart from general review the panel would deliberate on the cases of LoA holders who have reportedly achieved the milestones except commercial operation within the validity period of the pact but are not included for supply of coal during the 12th Plan period (2012-17).

"There is a list of 15 LoA holders with the capacity of 12,635 MW with a coal requirement of 58 million tonne per annum, who are outside the Ministry of Power/Central Electricity Authority list of 60,000 MW identified for coal supplies during the 12th Plan period," the official said.

Also, there is another list of 15 projects which have been given tapering linkage, with the capacity 10,765 MW and coal requirement of 18 MTPA, for whom MoP has recommended allocation of coal, he said, adding that both the categories of projects are likely to come up by March 2015.

Tapering linkage is provided to those coal consumers who have been allocated blocks for meeting the fuel requirement of their end-use plants but where the coal production does not meet the fuel needs.

The 19-member committee, to be chaired by Additional Secretary, Coal, has members drawn from various ministries including Power, Railways and Shipping. Besides CMDs of Coal India and its subsidiaries and Chairmen of Central Electricity Authority as well as NTPC are part of the panel.