Fuel shortage continues to haunt thermal power projects

Coal shortage continued to hit the power sector as 11 electricity generation projects received less dry fuel in November. Power projects in the western and the eastern belt were the worst sufferers of insufficient supply of the fuel leading to critical coal stock position at the generating stations, as per the data by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The 1,200-MW Pathadi project in Chhattisgarh, the 1,470-MW Wanakbori project (Gujarat), the 1,980 MW Koradi Dhanu project (Maharashtra) and Amarkantak (MP) in the Western region witnessed critical coal stocks (reserves for less than 7 days) in November, the data said. Patratu (840 MW), Tenughat (420 MW) in Jharkhand, Bandel (530 MW), DPL, Kolaghat (420 MW) in West Bengal and Obra (UP) in North India had less than a week's stock of coal last month. "Less receipt of coal is mainly due to supply constraints," a senior CEA official said but could not explain the reasons for critical coal stock position at all the four thermal power plants in the Southern region.