Coal supply tight during puja

The power demand-supply situation remained comfortable during the Pujas with the demand in the industries declining during the period but the coal supply was tight.

The scenario could change post-pujas. As the demand was likely to surge in the coming weeks, the coal supplies could fall short, according to sources in a power utility here.

The peak demand during the Puja month was estimated at 4,700MW. However, it touched 4,560MW on October 1, and started declining thereafter. The demand was likely to be down to around 3,000MW during this week, and pick up from mid-October again.

CESC sent out 1,450MW on October 1, the highest during this month. Today afternoon it sent out 824MW and the demand is likely to rise marginally at night, informed a CESC spokesperson. "The overall demand is likely to rise from Friday onwards, and we are in liaison with the coal companies asking them to increase supplies.", he added.

CESC was right now selling excess power that was generated during night time, as were the other power utilities in the state. West Bengal Power Developmet Corporation limited(WBPDCL), that touched a record production of 2,826 MW during the period, has decided to shut down some of its units.

State power secretary, Sunil Mitra confirmed that one or two utilities could be shut down. "We are in talks with the railways and the coal companies to ensure a smooth supply of coal as demand is likely to rise.", he added.

CESC is running all its four units in the state. All the power utilities in the state are now selling an average of 500 MW to outside utilities. "The quantum,however, varies on a day-to-day basis, based on the generation-demand calculus.", said Moloy De, chairman and managing director,West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (WBSEDCL).