JOIN USUncertainty looms large over power generation at RTPS
Uncertainty looms large over the functioning of the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) with coal stock having completely exhausted. Power generation is possible with whatever stock of coal arrives every day.
Among the eight units of the RTPS, only 7 are functioning. The station requires 20,000 metric tonnes of coal every day for power production. Presently, only 16,000 metric tonnes of coal is being supplied every day. The available coal is distributed among all the seven units to generate power.
Total 1,200 to 1,300 MW power is produced from seven units. The actual power generation capacity of all the units in the RTPS is 1,720 MW. Due to reduction in the coal supply, only 76 per cent of power is generated.
The second unit of the RTPS has a capacity of generating 210 MW of power, which has been halted for maintenance. There has been an overall decrease in power generation in all seven units.
According to the RTPS officials, on regular days, at least 10 rakes of coal is supplied to the RTPS every day. Presently only 5 rakes are being supplied. On an average, a rake consists of 5,000 metric tonnes of coal. The coal supply is just sufficient to meet the power generation required for that day.
Since October, there has been a decrease in the supply of coal. Even those states which are rich with abundant coal supply are unable to supply coal due to heavy rain. Delays in agreement over supply of coal is also one of the reasons for inadequate supply.
And also , the Udupi Power Station has started functioning recently. This has hit the overall supply of coal to the power stations, the RTPS officials added.
The Singareni Collieries Company, Telangana, and the Western Coalfields Limited, Nagpur, Maharashtra, are the coal suppliers for RTPS. The RTPS should have at stock of at least 70,000 metric tonne of coal. Since it is difficult to supply coal during monsoon every year, large quantities of coal is stocked during winter and summer. Even if the supply of coal is completely halted, at least coal stock which will last up to five days, should be available at the RTPS. From this year, the Yeramaras Supercritical Thermal Power Station (YTPS) has also begun functioning.
Since there is no rail connectivity to supply coal to the YTPS, coal from the RTPS stock is being diverted to the YTPS through the lorries. This has also resulted in the reduction of coal stock at the RTPS. The first unit of the YTPS functioned for some time. Since the supply of coal has halted, both the units of the YTPS have now stopped functioning.
DH News Service