Coal crunch hits power generation at two thermal power plants in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: Power generation at the Vijayawada Thermal Power Station and Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant remains affected due to shortage of coal.

Contrary to expectations of coal stocks being added to improve power supply, the situation has worsened with deficit in the two states touching 35 million units put together, primarily due to coal supply problems from the Mahanadi Coal Fields in Odisha.

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According to officials, the power crunch is caused by a combination of factors: the poor coal stock position, availabllity and loading of coal on goods trains due to moonsoon, and release of goods trains from RTPP and VTPS.

The power deficit in Telangana has increased from nearly 20 mu to 31 mu as per data from the Southern Regional Load Dispatch Centre, and in Andhra Pradesh from 1 mu a fortnight back to 5 mu currently.

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“Coal supply is miserable The position has deteriorated due to loading problem at Talcher mines which supplies to Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant,” said an official.

Both the plants are operating below capacity and the situation remains precarious.

Moreover, hydel generation in AP is at 6 mu and in Telangana, which has more hydel power plants, 2 mu per day.

The huge deficit in power has resulted in emergency cuts across the city, especially during the late evenings and nights.

In Hyderabad, the continuous power crunch coupled with the problems caused by low feeder capacity has resulted in power outages.

The IT sector has also been hit due to overloading.

The IT corridor is hit load-related trippings. Officials attribute these cuts to sudden increase in loads during after-office hours.

“In many areas, the problem has increased due to loads increasing in the evening as people switch on electrical appliances, especially ACs. When there is a tripping in one area, we start back-up supply” said a superintending engineer from the IT corridor area.