Andhra Pradesh Power Managing Director Admits "Serious Shortage" Of Coal For Power Plants

[hatrack]

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGENCO) Managing Director, Mr Ajay Jain has admitted to serious shortage of coal for power generation in the state. He said coal stocks were running perilously low and there was a need to build up stocks of the fuel.

“Though there was no loss of generation on this account we are leading a hand-to-mouth existence necessitating an urgent need to build up stocks,” he added.

He said all the 46 power stations in the country, including those run by NTPC were part of this crisis. He attributed the shortage to transportation logistics. “Though import of coal was a costly affair, the acute shortage had prompted the state to place orders for two lakh tonnes of coal,” he added.

He listed details of the 18 projects taken up by the GENCO as part of its capacity addition programme to tide over power crisis in the nexst five years. He said of the 18 projects, nine were coal-based and eight hydel and one gas based. He said there was a shortfall of 1650 mw of power during the peak hours and assured that this shortfall would be made up once the hydro electric power generation improved.

EDIT

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/27231706.htm