Coal shortage hits power units as demand surges

Power stations in West Bengal had to cut back on generation despite having received coal according to linkages promised by coal companies. The coal shortage was partly because of increased summer demand and partly owing to higher generation ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

This was the outcome of the meeting that was held between the state power minister, representatives of railway department, Coal India Ltd (CIL) and officials of the state power department last week.

The state power secretary cited data to establish that there was no short supply of coal or rakes to power stations. Instead, it appeared power stations required increased coal supply beyond linked quantity.

Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) could not give any assurance of increased coal supply. ECL sold coal to national power companies too. Railway officials said there was no shortage of rakes to power companies.

CIL said it was not possible to make large digression from the linkage volumes this year. In other words, the situation could not be improved further.

According to the minutes of the meeting, the state power department said there had been no short supply of coal either from Eastern Coal Fields or Bengal Emta Collieries as per linkage but considering the present scenario, coal supply would have to be increased beyond linked quantity. The coal producing companies were not in a position to do so.

Officials from West Bengal Power Development Corporation Ltd (WBPDCL) had however said that there was higher demand for power and all its units had to maintain generation at peak levels.

"Although except from Bharat Coking Coal Ltd and Mahanadi Coal Fields supplies had been as per linkage from ECL, but the quantum of coal was not adequate," it said.

This prompted WBPDCL to ask for coal over and above the linkage quantity from ECL.

CESC on the other hand said it had received less coal than needed from ECL during the previous and current months. It complained there was short supply from Bengal Emta as well.

Officials wanted more rakes from ECL Collieries to feed CESC plants. CESC requested ECL to supply coal as per linkage.

Officials of power genrator Durgapur Projects Ltd (DPL) at the meeting also complained of short supply of coal and said it could not meet demand as a result.