Telangana Thermal Units Hold Steady Coal Stocks

Hyderabad: Telangana’s thermal power stations are maintaining satisfactory coal reserves despite heavy consumption to meet peak summer demand, according to data available for Friday. The state’s generation fleet is operating at strong load levels, with plant load factor (PLF) of 80 per cent for Singareni thermal power plants, 77 Bhadradri, 83 Kakatiya, 71 Kothagudem (New), 62 Kothagudem Stage‑7 and 21 per cent at the Yadadri Thermal Power Plant.

In overall terms, SCCL thermal plants were holding coal stock at 19 per cent of normative levels, while TG Genco was maintaining 26 per cent, with 621.7 million tonnes reported in the available data.

In Greater Hyderabad, electricity demand touched a record 4,766 MW with consumption at 100.83 million units, reflecting intense heat‑driven usage. Officials said the system remains adequately backed by coal inventories and supply planning.

Nationally, Central Electricity Authority reports showed India’s thermal plants carried 53.702 million tonnes of coal in early May, against 58.2 million tonnes on March 22, indicating a healthy cushion despite peak demand. Stocks were sufficient to support about three weeks of generation, with Telangana fitting into this trend.

Singareni steps up monsoon readiness

With the southwest monsoon expected to set in within ten days, the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has initiated special measures to ensure uninterrupted coal production during the rainy season. SCCL chairman and managing director Dr Buddhaprakash Jyoti instructed officials to arrange additional heavy‑duty pumpsets, including from private operators if required, to prevent water stagnation near overburden and coal benches. He also directed strengthening of haul roads.

Nearly 95 per cent of SCCL’s coal production comes from open‑cast mines, where water accumulation during heavy rain often disrupts operations. The company has already installed more than 100 heavy‑duty pumps and motors across its mines to dewater pits, though inflows are expected to rise during intense rainfall.

At a review meeting, Buddhaprakash stressed that all arrangements must be completed in advance to ensure sufficient pumping equipment. He directed general managers at the Corporate office to take immediate steps for tenders and reviewed mine‑wise proposals and preparedness plans. He asked officials to monitor weather advisories and remain vigilant, especially in areas that suffered major production losses in the past two years.

Citing increased power demand, the CMD urged area managements to ensure uninterrupted coal supply to thermal power plants with fuel supply agreements. He reviewed production, transportation and overburden removal achieved so far, and said maximum output should be secured before the monsoon to offset seasonal losses.

He further directed optimum use of heavy machinery and effective deployment of manpower, and called for awareness among employees about the challenges facing the company. The meeting was attended by directors L.V. Suryanarayana, K. Venkateswarlu, Gowtham Potru, M. Tirumala Rao, executive director, coal movement, B. Venkanna, and. Srinivas, GM (coordination and marketing).