Directive To Power Units On Coal Use Flayed

The environment ministrys recent directive that all new thermal power projects should use washed coal only was criticised by the power officials of the states and representatives of independent power projects at a meeting held in Delhi over the weekend.

At the meeting, called to review the progress of independent power projects, it was pointed out that all the washed coal available in the country was used by the steel plants and there was no surplus to feed the boilers of power plants. The power ministry has promised to take up the issue with the ministry of environment, whose directive will apply to independent power projects as well as those promoted by the state.

Besides, the environment ministry has communicated to the managements of all existing thermal power plants that they should try to switch to washed coal as early as possible.

It is universally accepted that use of washed coal in the boilers of thermal power plants is desirable, as Indian coal has a very high ash content. In fact, new boilers are designed to burn coal with an ash content of as much as 50 per cent. Transport of high-ash coal puts a strain on the railway network. Power plants end up paying more transit cost as they pay not only for the coal but also for the ash. Coal with a high ash content causes more pollution. Disposal of the ash is a problem.

The Australian coal, on the other hand, has an ash content of only 18 per cent. It is possible to reduce the ash content of the Indian coal by 5-7 per cent. The coking coal available in the country has an ash content of 25-30 per cent, but this coal is set aside for the steel sector as the reserves are thin.

While the superiority of washed coal is well established, the tricky part is making enough stock available for use by power plants. Coal India Ltd does not have the resources to invest in washeries. Power stations are even more cash-strapped and cannot think of setting up washeries of their own.

If a chain of washeries could be set up at the pitheads, it would benefit the coal sector, the railways and the power plants. But none of the three potential beneficiaries have taken an initiative to scout for the required funds.

The environment ministrys directive may finally lead to setting up of more washeries in the country.