NTPC plant faces shutdown

NTPC's largest power plant at Vindhyachal in Madhya Pradesh with a capacity of 4,260 MW is facing shut-down due to paucity of coal supply from Northern Coalfields. The company said it would stop operations if fuel shortage continues.

Since early this month, two units of 210 MW and 500 MW have not been operating due to unavailability of contracted coal quantity. The rest of the 2,860 MW is running at half the capacity.

NTPC said: 'We have already lost 800 million units on account of coal shortage, whereas there was no loss of generation on account of coal shortage during the corresponding period last year.'

The company supplies power to seven states and union territories--Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat,Goa, Daman & Diu and Dadar Nagar Haveli--from the power plant.


BS