RTPS output down to a third

The 7th unit shut down on Monday due to a leakage in the boiler. On Sunday, three units - 1, 2, and 6 had shut down. Only Units 3, 4 and 5 are generating.

Repairs are apace on Unit 1 and it is expected to be resuming production of power by Tuesday morning. Units 2 and 6 are not expected to start generating before September 2.

Executive Director of RTPS Narayan Prasad said that by the end of November all 7 units will complete annual maintenance procedure.

The total generation of power from the 7 units is 1,470 MW. With four Units shut down, officials say that only 500-600 MW of power is being generated. But sources say that in actuality, the production is less than 500 MW. 

Although officials say that quality of coal is not responsible for the shutdown, wet coal being supplied directly from the mines is said to be main reason for the problems at RTPS.

Earlier, at least tw lakh tonnes of dry coal used to be stored during monsoon. But such stocking was not resorted to during the current monsoon, leading to the shutdown, it is learnt.