HYDERABAD

The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is giving priority to thermal power generating stations within Telangana which coal linkage with it by supplying adequate coal to them seamlessly to ensure uninterrupted power generation.

Chairman and Managing Director of SCCL Buddhaprakash Jyoti on Friday told them to accord the highest priority to coal transportation and further enhance supplies to thermal power plants which have significantly increased generation to meet the in view of the prevailing El Niño conditions.

A coordination meeting through video conference was held between SCCL CMD and CMD of the Telangana Power Generation Corporation Ltd (TG-Genco) S. Harish, along with senior officials of both the organisations to review the current power demand, coal production, transportation and other related issues.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Buddhaprakash Jyoti said the rising electricity demand under the prevailing El Niño conditions would require close coordination between SCCL and TG-Genco to ensure adequate coal stocks at all thermal power stations in the State. He stated that special officers would be designated to closely monitor uninterrupted coal transportation and resolve operational issues on a priority basis.

Officials of SCCL’s Marketing Department informed the CMD that around 72% of the coal produced by SCCL was presently being supplied to TG-Genco thermal power stations, NTPC Ramagundam and the Singareni Thermal Power Plant. However, considering the increasing power demand and keeping the State’s interests in mind the CMD directed that greater priority be accorded to meet the coal requirements of Telangana’s thermal power stations and, if necessary, coal earmarked for supply to other States be suitably reallocated.

The CMD further instructed the officials of both the organisations to continuously review the coal requirements of power stations and maintain close coordination on coal production, transportation, railway rake availability and road transport logistics to ensure seamless fuel supply.

He also asked the General Managers of all SCCL Areas to take all necessary measures to prevent any disruption to coal production in opencast mines during the monsoon season. He stressed that coal production should not decline under any circumstances and that quality standards must be maintained without compromise.

Dr. Harish reviewed the coal stock position at TG-Genco thermal power stations and stressed that local senior officials should resolve bottlenecks, if any, in coal transportation proactively to ensure uninterrupted coal movement.