Power secy says two NTPC plants shut since 45 days

It’s not quite an open and shut case. Not yet.

H S Brahma, power secretary, on Wednesday said two coal-based power plants of NTPC in Farakka (West Bengal) and Kahalgaon (Bihar) have been shut since the past 45 days. “Transportation bottlenecks have led to the shutting down of these plants,” Brahma said on the sidelines of a FICCI conference on power.

Not so, says an NTPC spokesperson.

“We are facing problems of coal supply but the plants have not shut down completely. Our plants are still working up to 75% capacity. The Rajmahal coal mine has been troublesome in the past as well,” the NTPC spokesperson said.

Both plants get coal from Rajmahal coal mines in Jharkhand, which is a naxalite-infected zone. 

The Farakka power plant needs eight rakes of coal per day and can generate 1,600 mw, while Kahalgaon requires 15 rakes to produce 2,300 mw at full tilt.

NTPC imports around 15 million tones of coal and has also been exploring the possibility of acquiring coal mines in the African continent.

India’s biggest power company is planning to expand capacity of these power plants and has recently formed a 50:50 joint venture with Coal India Ltd o develop Brahmini and Chichro Patsimal coal blocks that will ensure the coal supply for its Farakka and Kahalgaon power plants.