The Union Ministry of Power has submitted to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) the eligible quantity of domestic coal for coal using power plants under the special auction window of ‘Shakti B (viii) (A)’ taking into account 10% imported coal. asked to determine. For blending which is equivalent to about 15% of domestic coal in terms of energy.
‘Shakti B (viii) (a)’ is the window for power plants that have the ability to bid for coal, to generate electricity using coal from this window and exchange it under Day Ahead Market (DAM) or DEEP to sell. Portal for short term power purchase agreement.
“For such plants, the Ministry has directed CEA to mandate consumption (shakti B(viii)(a)) coal consumption on the basis of blending of 10% by weight for production during the period commencing 15 June 2022. It has been directed to calculate the quantum of Rs.
According to the ministry, these plants will get about three weeks to procure imported coal.
In view of the growing demand for power and shortage of domestic coal to meet the demand, the ministry in April advised all power generation companies, including independent power producers, to blend 10% of imported coal for power generation.
The Center has issued several directions to the States and Gencos to improve the availability of power.
On 27 May, the ministry issued instructions to gencos stating that with the increasing demand for power and power shortage in some areas, there is a need to maximize power generation.
The ministry also said that despite efforts to increase the supply of domestic coal, there is still a gap between the requirement and supply of coal, due to which the stock of coal at the generating stations is depleting at an alarming rate.
“Ministry of Power on 18th May issued instructions to all Gencos that if the orders for import of coal for blending are not placed by them by 31st May and if the coal imported for blending purpose does not start coming to the power plants by 15th June However, the defaulter Genco will have to import coal for blending purpose to the extent of 15% in the remaining period up to October,” the ministry statement on May 27 said.
As dues of gencos by power distribution companies continue to be a major reason for low availability of coal, the ministry recently said that it is working on a scheme whereby discoms will be able to clear financial dues in easy installments. will be enabled, in which there will be no further late payment surcharge. ,
According to the latest CEA data, the total coal stock in 173 power plants under its purview stood at 21.16 million tonnes as of May 26, which is 33% of the required inventory of 66.49 million tonnes.
82 power plants based on domestic coal and 10 imported coal based plants survive on significant stocks – less than 25% of the quantity required.