Jaipur: Monsoon rainfall has severely disrupted operations at captive coal mines, sharply reducing coal supplies to the state’s power plants, which currently have stocks for four days. Against the state’s current requirement of around 24 coal rakes a day (1 rake contains 4,000 tonnes), only about 18 rakes are being received, creating a daily shortfall of six rakes.“Supplies from captive mines had fallen from an average of 14-15 rakes a day to just seven. After requests, Coal India stepped in with additional rakes to bridge the gap. Still, there is a shortfall of about six rakes daily,” said an official in Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RVUNL). Thermal plants, which are not located near the mines, are required to maintain stocks up to 26 days.Coal shortage has coincided with the shutdown of units at the 1,200-MW Kalisindh thermal power plant for maintenance, putting additional pressure on the state’s generation system.The chief minister Friday held a meeting over the shortage of coal and ways to tie up the required coal capacity. The govt has already written letters to the Centre for support. To meet peak demand and maintain grid stability, Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RVUN) is now operating its 330-MW Dholpur Combined Cycle Gas Power Plant (DCCPP).The decision, however, comes at an exceptionally high cost. With prevailing gas prices and availability, the actual cost of generation from Dholpur is estimated at more than Rs 35 per unit, several times the cost of conventional power. According to the information available with RVUN, the plant has been operated according to system requirements and particularly during periods of peak demand. It has been running continuously since Sept 1.Dholpur has not had an effective approved tariff since 2020-21, despite RVUN continuing to incur expenditure on fuel, operation and maintenance, employee salaries, statutory obligations and other expenses. “Dholpur plant is not run for commercial gains but to meet the state’s electricity and grid requirements. It has therefore sought a clear mechanism to recover its actual and additional costs,” said an official at Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RVUNL).
