Guj, Punjab, Bihar discuss power sector issues with Centre

Power Minister Piyush Goyal held separate discussions on a range of issues concerning electricity situation with the state delegations

Gujarat, Bihar and Punjab today sought the Centre's intervention in resolving issues like coal supply and fuel cost and quality that hinder electricity generation at thermal plants in these states.

Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal held separate discussions on a range of issues concerning electricity situation in Gujarat and Bihar with Gujarat Energy Minister Saurabh Patel and a delegation of MPs from Bihar led by Sushil Modi.

After meeting Coal and Power Secretaries, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said: "We have asked the government to provide tapering linkage for GVK's Goindwal Sahib for one year."

For Goindwal Sahib plant, coal will be sourced from Tokisud and Seregarha mines in Jharkhand. These blocks are yet to be developed and therefore Punjab has sought tapering linkage.

Punjab's installed capacity 8379 MW.

The Gujarat Minister discussed issues related to quality and price of coal.

"Today specifically we had come for Gujarat issues. Secretary, Coal, Secretary, Power, NTPC officials and other officials were present. How to resolve our pending issues regarding coal and all other things was discussed," Patel told reporters after his meeting with Goyal.

"Quality of coal, pricing of coal, freight cost, issues with NTPC were also discussed," he said.

He, however, did not divulge the details of NTPC issue.

"In the last 10 years, we never had the opportunity to meet the Power or the Coal Minister and this time we had this opportunity and we have been heard," Patel said.

At present, NTPC receives imported coal for its thermal power projects in Chhattisgarh at ports in Gujarat.

On other hand, a few thermal plants in Gujarat are linked with Bilaspur mines in Chhattisgarh.

Sources said Gujarat wanted NTPC to swap the imported coal with its Bilaspur linkages.

The idea is aimed at reducing transportation expenses at both the ends, sources said.

"NTPC has agreed to the proposed arrangement," the source added.

NTPC operates two projects -- Korba (2,600 MW) and Sipat (2,980 MW) -- in Chhattisgarh.

The total installed power capacity of Gujarat is 27,647 MW.