The Hindu Business Line : Generation at key NTPC stations falters

New Delhi, Nov. 7 The delay in a coal import tender floated by MMTC Ltd has hit coal-based generation at key NTPC stations. The Kahalgaon and Farakka units are among thermal projects that have been forced to operate at around 50 per cent plant load factor (PLF) due to the delay in fuel imports.

A loss of generation of 1,357 million units has been reported from NTPC power stations during September alone due to the imported coal failing to come through, according to official data. The Centre had earlier mandated state-run MMTC to import 12.5 million tonnes of coal on behalf of NTPC for the current fiscal. The tender was reissued at the end of August after bidders alleged foul play in the bidding process.

Average load factor

“With coal imports failing to materialise due to the delayed MMTPC tender, the average load factor at thermal power plants during the month has been much lower that targets. The 2,340 MW Kahalgaon and 1,600 MW Farakka stations operated at PLF of 45.43 per cent and 51.78 per cent respectively during September,” a Government official involved in the exercise said. Generation at NTPC’s 460 MW Talcher station has also been affected due to non-receipt of imported coal.

Coal requirement

NTPC’s total coal requirement during the current fiscal is pegged around 150 mt. Since the imported coal has a high calorific value 12.5 mt of the imported dry fuel would be equivalent to around 19 mt of domestic coal. In light of the delays in the MMTC tender, NTPC is planning to import coal directly from the next financial year and the power major has set up a committee to look into the issue.

MMTC was forced to scrap its original coal tender valued at Rs 6,000 crore, after one of the bidders, Knowledge Infrastructure Systems Pvt Ltd, alleged irregularities in the tendering process. Adani Enterprises Ltd, a consortium of Agarwal Coal Corporation Pvt Ltd and Kowa Company Ltd of Japan and another comprising Coal and Oil Group (of the UAE), Coastal Energy Pvt Ltd and Seapol Pvt. Ltd, were the other bidders for the 12.5-mt contract.

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