CEA asks PMO to intervene on the issue of FSAs

07 May 2012 Evaluate

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has requested the PMO to intervene on the issue of fuel supply agreement (FSA) as several power companies have refused to sign the pact with CIL (Coal India). Companies are of the opinion that FSAs are pro-coal companies and monopolistic in nature. The CEA’s request has come in ahead of its meeting with power firms, which have not signed the FSAs.

Last month, CIL had been issued a Presidential Directive forcing it to sign FSAs with power companies at 80% commitment levels or pay penalties. Coal India on its part came up with an FSA which put negligible penalty on coal companies in case the commitment was not met.

Infact the rate of compensation to be paid to power companies for the failed quantity was only 0.01%, which, in the power companies’ view, was too little penalty for non-fulfillment of obligations. Plus the penalty that it would be applicable after three years, made it even more toothless.

Moreover the power companies want that the provision for sampling of coal at both loading and unloading ends and through third party agency should be done and incase the quality of the coal is not upto, the mark the purchaser should not be liable to make any payment including rail transportation. Companies are of the opinion that the supply of imported coal should be based on mutual consultations preferably in line with supply of imported coal being made by Minerals and Metals Trading Corp or State Trading Corporation.

Of the 48 FSAs that were to be signed for power plants that were commissioned till December 2011, less than a dozen have been inked until now. Country's largest power producer NTPC has refused to sign the FSA as the company wants the useful heat value (UHV) formula for coal instead of the new gross calorific value (GCV) formula proposed by CIL, the country's largest supplier. Indian coal is classified on the basis of UHV into seven grades from A-G. UHV is based on ash and moisture contents for non-coking coals in line with the government's directive. These grades are wide, while under the GCV method; the bands would be narrower, closely resembling their quality.

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