Power utilities told to secure coal stocks for uninterrupted summer supply

Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K. Vijayanand on Monday directed power utilities to maintain adequate coal stocks to ensure uninterrupted generation during the summer, in view of the possible impact of the West Asia conflict on the global coal supply chain.

At a review meeting on power supply, he asked officials to secure sufficient coal reserves and ensure smooth transportation to thermal power plants by coordinating with seaports and railways.

He noted that thermal plants currently have around 15 days of buffer stock, including coal in transit, but stressed the need for constant vigilance to handle any contingency. He also emphasised operating all generating units at full capacity to maintain grid stability during peak demand, drawing on both imported and domestic coal, including supplies from Eastern Coalfields Limited.

Mr. Vijayanand directed APGenco to assess the requirement of imported coal for the Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station near Nellore and to finalise supply schedules at the earliest to ensure uninterrupted summer generation.

He congratulated APGenco officials on achieving a record generation of 6,101 MW and 5,730 MW ex-bus, the highest since inception, and urged them to sustain the momentum. He also appreciated the AP Power Development Company Limited for achieving a maximum generation of 2,339 MW with a plant load factor of 97.45%.

Transco Joint Managing Director G. Surya Sai Praveenchand, Genco Managing Director P. Pulla Reddy, Directors M. Sujay Kumar, P. Ashok Kumar Reddy and V. Usha, Transco Director A. K. V. Bhaskar, APPDCL Director K. Srinivasa Rao and Additional Secretary (Energy) K. V. Kishore Kumar were present.