(a) whether there is a scarcity of coal in the country, if so, the details thereof and
the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the production of power in power plants has been affected as a result
thereof and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the State of Karnataka has sought more coal for its power plants; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF COAL IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND RAILWAYS
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )
A statement is laid on the table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.79 for answer on 20.12.2017 asked by Shri R. Dhurva Narayana.
(a) & (b): Primarily due to failure on the part of the power houses to stock adequate coal, as per Central Electricity Authority (CEA) guidelines, during the lean power generation period and unexpected spurt in demand for thermal power arising out of drop in power generation from other sources, like nuclear, hydro and wind energy during the 2nd quarter of 2017-18 there was a drop in the stock position with the thermal power plants. Abnormally heavy monsoon in mine areas affected production, loading at mines and transportation of coal. With increased coal despatch from Coal India Limited (CIL) sources and continuous monitoring, the situation of coal stock improved at the Power Houses. The despatch from CIL during the period April to December, 2017 grew by about 9% as compared to despatch during the same period of 2016-17. This increased coal supply has been mainly responsible for the 4.7% increase in coal based power generation. This increased domestic coal based power generation coexists with 4.59% reduction in power generation by imported coal based power plants of private sector.
(c) & (d): The CIL has pro rata linkage of 3.356 MT and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has pro rata linkage of 2.078 MT for supply of coal to the Raichur power plant of State of Karnataka. The materialization of the pro rata annual contracted quantity from CIL and SCCL for 2017-18 till 13th December 2017 is around 77% and 100% respectively. It is set to rise further in the remaining period of this fiscal. The coal supply against bridge linkage from SCCL is on a best effort basis. On the request of the State Government, the duration of Bridge Linkage to Bellary Thermal Power Station (TPS) and Yeramarus TPS from SCCL has been extended twice.
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