HYDERABAD

The Telangana Power Generation Corporation Ltd (TG-Genco) has requested the Ministry of Power for supply of additional 5 million tonnes of coal to its thermal generation stations with approval of the Ministry of Coal.

In a communication addressed to the Secretary to the MoP recently, Chairman and Managing Director of TG-Genco S. Harish stated that all its thermal generating stations have coal linkage with Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) with a long-term coal linkage of 28.87 million tonnes per annum.

However, the 500 megawatt and 800 MW units of Kothagudem Thermal Power Station Stage VI and VII and 5×800 MW Yadadri Thermal Power Station, whose four units are already into generation, are designed for utilisation of higher-grade (G9/G10) coal. But, the inadequate supply of higher-grade coal, the units are being operated at partial loads severely affecting their generation.

The anticipated peak power demand of over 260 gigawatt is likely to be touched during the coming months, the coal-based thermal units of TG-Genco would need to operate at their rated capacities to meet the increased demand. The date of commissioning/commercial operation date of the fifth unit of YTPS is scheduled next month and the operation of all five units would require about 50,000 tonnes of coal per day.

Stating that linkage materialisation from SCCL is only 76% and the quality materialisation with respect to fuel supply agreement (FSA) grade coal is around 40% in 2025-26, he said the generation at Genco’s station was severely affected due to the shortfall both in quality and quantity. The SCCL has already informed that it is unable to supply higher-grade coal as Genco’s requirement, it could cater to the coal requirement of only three units of YTPS in long-term.

For the remaining two units of YTPS, the SCCL has suggested Genco to obtain coal linkages from alternative sources such as Coal India Ltd through long-term linkage in order to ensure assured availability of higher-grade coal and to mitigate dependence on SCCL’s limited high-grade coal resources.

The ground stocks of Genco’s thermal power stations are sufficient for only four days with replenishment coming in only limited measure, against the Central Electricity Authority norms of maintaining ground stocks at least for 26 days. The CEA was apprised of the situation and in turn it had suggested Genco to take up the matter with CIL and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd for supply of an additional 5 million tonnes of coal to Genco’s thermal power stations.

HYDERABAD

Deputy Floor Leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in the Assembly T. Harish Rao alleged that the Congress Government had failed in ensuring uninterrupted power supply, available water for irrigation to the agriculture sector, and drinking water to people.

He along with party leaders of Alair constituency in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district made a surprise visit to the Solepet substation in Bommalaramaram mandal, examined the records (log book) on supply of power to the farm sector.

Mr. Rao quoted the substation operator as telling him that farmers were earlier given 14 to 15 hours of power supply , but fresh instructions from the government limited agricultural power supply to only 12 hours a day.

He alleged that even during the 12 hours, power supply was frequently interrupted due to repeated tripping. Mr. Harish Rao questioned Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka’s recent statement that there were no power cuts in the State. “If there are no power cuts, why do the official records at Solepet substation show only 12 hours of agricultural supply?”, he asked.

He alleged that the government’s failure to maintain adequate coal stocks had resulted in two units with a combined capacity of 1,600 MW at the Yadadri Thermal Power Station and another 270 MW unit at the Bhadradri Thermal Power Plant shut for long. Despite Telangana having access to Singareni coal, why 1,870 MW of thermal power generation facility was kept idle, he sought to know.

Mr. Rao recalled how Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had earlier stated that farmers required only three hours of power supply and questioned whether the government was now attempting to implement the CM’s word.