• Thermal power stations in MP consume excessive coal

    At a time when state-owned thermal power generation companies are facing acute scarcity of coal and there is hardly 4-5 days of coal stock left—thermal power plants are using as much as 45% excessive coal!

    Shri Singaji Thermal Power Station in Khandwa district leads the pack when it comes to consuming excessive coal. The power station, which is the latest one and inaugurated in 2015, is among one of the worst performers. The power station has coal stock for only four days and is consuming around 45% excess coal. Going by reports accessed by TOI, a total of 760 grams of coal was consumed for producing 1 unit of power on May 26. This coal costs around Rs 1.8 and the transportation cost for coal is around Rs 1.20. This means production of one unit of power works out to around Rs 3—forget costs like wear and tear, salary and oil consumption.

    Similarly for Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station, though it has consumed around 15% excess coal on May 26, it is far more than its own standards. Going by the same report, it consumed around 750 grams of coal to produe one unit of power on May 26.

    Sources say this was not a one day phenomenon at Shri Singaji Thermal Power Station. It is same ever since it went on stream, producing energy. As per power plant design, it should consume around 450 grams of coal for producing a unit of power, but its consumption remains above 600 grams for one unit of power. Apart from it,the thermal power station receives washed refined coal, this increases coal costs by nearly 20%, but it is practised to ensure less coal is consumed to produce energy.

    When contacted, Madhya Pradesh Power Generation Company Limited executive director (fuel management) A K Sankule said, “For three of our power stations, things have been nearly fixed. For Singaji, there is some problem, but we are hopeful of ensuring normalcy in a couple of days.”

    Asked about excessive consumption, Sankule says, “Some units at Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station are old and maintenance work is in the pipeline. At Shri Singaji, we are mulling technical adjustments in the plant.” Riley Reiff Womens Jersey

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