Fall in coal output likely to affect capacity utilization of power projects

23 Sep 2011 Evaluate

The decline in coal production by India’s largest coal producer - Coal India, is expected to adversely affect the capacity utilization of the power projects, G B Pradhan special secretary in the ministry of power said, ‘Coal India may have a slightly flat or even a negative growth. We will have to do with less.’ However, he indicated that the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) may achieve its target Plant Load Factors (PLFs) at 85-87%, but the new capacities which will be set-up by private sector may face the shortage of the coal.
 
G B Pradhan said, ‘the initial plant load factors of private sector power plants could be as low as 50-60%.’ For the current financial year the average plant load factors is expected to be around 75%. The power ministry is also doing an extensive review of case one and case two bid documents. Some of the matters that will be addressed for future projects and agreements will tackle matters such as pass through of fuel cost increase, which has become a serious concern for two ultra mega power projects in Mundra and Krishanpatnam.

Recently, the Indonesian government indexed its coal sales to international prices, because which, the viability of these bids have undergone a change. ‘We will also address issues like the timeline for power purchase agreements. Should they be as long as 25 years..’ said Pradhan. The review of case one and case two bids is expected to be finish in two to three weeks.

On the issue of coal shortage, the Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said, Coal India had not been able to increase its capacity as per its target. ‘We have set high targets for ourselves. Considering the problems we have been having, it is praiseworthy that we are able to stabilize production.’ During 2010-11 Coal India’s production has declined by 7%, whereas for the current financial year, production is expected to be flat. However, the Coal Minister expects coal production to increase its production by 7% in 2012-13.

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