Fresh coal supplies from eastern and northern regions have boosted capacity at the NTPC Ramagundam super thermal power station — with 2,150 MW of the 2,400 MW capacity being utilised.
The thermal power station in Andhra Pradesh has 2,600 MW of installed capacity. But a 200-MW unit was shut down at the plant in Ramagundam, located at the pithead of Singareni Collieries Company Ltd, due to the ongoing strike by miners. But a 500-MW that was not operating due to inadequate supply has been generating power, said NTPC sources.
In spite of higher output from NTPC, Andhra Pradesh faces a gap of about 44 million units a day.
Ramgundam thermal power stations supplies to the entire South grid, with a lion's share of about 31.5 per cent going to Andhra Pradesh and the rest to other States. However, due to the strike by miners, the power generation was adversely impacted. Two weeks ago, NTPC was forced to shut down one unit of 500 MW and managed to generate about 1500 MW of the 2,600 MW installed capacity.
“Barring one unit of 200 MW, NTPC Ramagundam is running at 90 per cent plant load factor. This was possible due to arrangement of coal supplies from IB Valley, South Eastern Coalfields and Mahanadi Coalfields. The evacuation of coal by arrangement of additional rakes by the Railways has helped us boost generation,” an NTPC source told Business Line .
However, due to reduced coal supplies, Andhra Pradesh's share from NTPC has been affected.
APGENCO said in a statement that against the demand of about 263 million units a day, distribution companies in the State are able to supply about 229 mu a day. The demand-supply mismatch is being managed by regulating power supplies, leading to cuts to all sections of consumers, including industrial and farm sectors.
The gas-based projects of the State are currently generating 1,675 MW against the installed capacity of 2,495 MW.
Meanwhile, Power Grid has enhanced the corridor availability on Talcher-Kolar system, enabling evacuation of 500 MW. The State has also stepped up purchases but the shortage remains.