Chandrapur power plant had to shut down 2 units due to shortage of coal

Chandrapur: The largest such plant in the state, Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS), is facing a severe shortage of coal affecting the production of electricity. Due to an acute shortfall in the supply of coal from the mines of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), the mega plant has completely shut down its two production units (Unit No. 3 & 4).

The power generation capacity of the plant is about 2,920 megawatts (MW). Which has come down to about 1,767 MW on Saturday evening. Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station Chief Engineer Pankaj Sapate has confirmed that there is such a huge shortage of coal in this mega power plant. He has said that the plant requires up to 45,000 metric tonnes of coal per day to produce electricity. However, the supply from WCL coal mines has come down significantly for the past several days.

Pankaj Sapate said that Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station procures the entire required coal from WCL mines. Supply from the Padmapur coal mine has been stalled for several days. He has written to the WCL officials about the shortfall in this supply and he is also taking measures to ensure that the proper quantity is supplied to the plant.

60,000 metric tonnes of coal are left

He has also claimed that only about 60,000 metric tonnes of coal are left with the plant, Which can hardly meet the need of just one day.

Meanwhile, MahaGenco has also stated that 2 units (Units 3 and 4) of Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station, each of 210 MW, were shut down several days back, But no other units are closed at all. Mahagenco receives about 1.10 to 1.2 lakh tonnes of coal daily and is consuming the same to generate electricity.

Officials have said that MahaGenco is trying hard to get the maximum number of coal rakes. The situation is also likely to improve in a few days.

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