NTPC targets to import 17 million tonnes of coal this fiscal to fire its power plants.
The public sector power producer had incurred generation loss of almost 13 billion units in 2012-13 after it failed to meet its coal import target of 15 million tonnes.
For each billion unit, which NTPC fails to generate, it loses Rs 5 crore.
The company’s board has already given its nod to import 10 mt this fiscal, NTPC management told analysts over a conference call.
However, the total imports may be slightly less than 17 mt as domestic supplies from Coal India has improved.
At the same time, NTPC has taken up steps to transport nearly three mt of imported coal through in-land waterways to its stations in Farakka in West Bengal and Kahalgaon in Bihar, A.K. Singhal, Director (Finance) of NTPC told analysts.
The Maharatna company could import only nine mt against the demand of 15 mt during the last financial year. NTPC has cited ‘technical and commercial’ issues delaying coal imports.
But, according to the nodal Power Ministry, the company received complaints against its coal import tenders.
NTPC had to investigate the complaints that delayed placing an order of seven mt from October-November 2012 till February 27 this year.
This coal was not delivered in the last financial year.
“The Power Ministry has advised that NTPC should take necessary steps in advance to ensure that coal import target of 2013-14 is met well in time,” a Senior Ministry official told Business Line .
NTPC, with an installed capacity of 41,184 MW, consumes nearly 150 mt every year. Coal India supplied 14.7 per cent more fuel to the power producer in 2012-13 when compared to the previous year.
In 2012-13, domestic supplies from Coal India to NTPC stood at 132.84 mt compared with 115.84 mt in 2011-12.
The power producer has disclosed a contingent liability of Rs 2531.10 crore pending resolution of pricing difference with Coal India.
NTPC informed analysts that the company has agreed for a third party sampling at coal loading point.
The power producer would employ the same third party to do a sampling at its power plants also. The process started from May 10.
siddhartha.@thehindu.co.in