+
Captive Coal Plants to Boost Power Output
COAL & MINING

Captive Coal Plants to Boost Power Output

India has ordered 112 captive coal-fired power plants to operate at full capacity from October 1 through December 31 to meet an expected rise in electricity demand. The Ministry of Power issued the directive under emergency provisions of the Electricity Act in an order dated September 25.

The order applies to captive plants with installed capacity of at least 50 MW. Such facilities primarily supply electricity to industrial users, including aluminium, steel, cement and oil-refining companies. Generators have also been instructed to sell surplus electricity through power exchanges, allowing additional supply to reach the wider market.

The plants covered by the directive include facilities owned by Vedanta, Tata Steel, Hindalco Industries, JSW Steel, UltraTech Cement, Reliance Industries, Indian Oil, Bharat Aluminium, Hindustan Zinc and Nayara Energy. Operators must submit weekly reports to the Central Electricity Authority covering generation, captive consumption, electricity sales, available capacity and coal stocks.

Separately, the ministry has extended until December 31 an earlier emergency order requiring Tata Power’s imported coal-fired plant at Mundra in Gujarat to operate at full capacity. The plant was previously directed to maintain maximum generation to support the electricity system during periods of tight supply.

Government data indicates that nearly 40 per cent of India’s coal-fired power plants have critically low fuel stocks. The deterioration has followed a surge in electricity demand amid hotter-than-usual weather associated with El Niño, increasing pressure on generators to maintain output and secure adequate coal supplies. The latest directive is intended to mobilise captive generation and make surplus electricity available through market channels during the high-demand period.

India has ordered 112 captive coal-fired power plants to operate at full capacity from October 1 through December 31 to meet an expected rise in electricity demand. The Ministry of Power issued the directive under emergency provisions of the Electricity Act in an order dated September 25. The order applies to captive plants with installed capacity of at least 50 MW. Such facilities primarily supply electricity to industrial users, including aluminium, steel, cement and oil-refining companies. Generators have also been instructed to sell surplus electricity through power exchanges, allowing additional supply to reach the wider market. The plants covered by the directive include facilities owned by Vedanta, Tata Steel, Hindalco Industries, JSW Steel, UltraTech Cement, Reliance Industries, Indian Oil, Bharat Aluminium, Hindustan Zinc and Nayara Energy. Operators must submit weekly reports to the Central Electricity Authority covering generation, captive consumption, electricity sales, available capacity and coal stocks. Separately, the ministry has extended until December 31 an earlier emergency order requiring Tata Power’s imported coal-fired plant at Mundra in Gujarat to operate at full capacity. The plant was previously directed to maintain maximum generation to support the electricity system during periods of tight supply. Government data indicates that nearly 40 per cent of India’s coal-fired power plants have critically low fuel stocks. The deterioration has followed a surge in electricity demand amid hotter-than-usual weather associated with El Niño, increasing pressure on generators to maintain output and secure adequate coal supplies. The latest directive is intended to mobilise captive generation and make surplus electricity available through market channels during the high-demand period.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Suzuki Targets 4 mn Units in India by FY30, Builds Global Hub

Suzuki Motor Corporation plans to raise annual production capacity in India to approximately 4 mn units from fiscal 2030, strengthening the country’s role as a manufacturing and export hub for its global operations. The Japanese car maker announced the target as part of its Technology Strategy 2026, which outlines its development and manufacturing priorities for the coming decade. The company also aims to improve development efficiency by 30 per cent from the FY20 level and manufacturing efficiency by 50 per cent by FY30. It plans to halve the lead time required to develop new vehicles by im..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Ayodhya Airport to Add Flights to Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai

Ayodhya airport will get additional direct air services to Delhi and Bengaluru from October 1, followed by a daily non-stop connection to Mumbai from October 30. The existing IndiGo service to Hyderabad is also being prepared for conversion into a daily operation, widening travel options from the temple city. Passengers travelling to Delhi will have two direct options at different times of day from October 1. Akasa Air flight QP 1608 will depart Ayodhya at 12:50 pm and arrive in Delhi at 2:20 pm, while Air India Express flight IX 1274 will leave at 2:10 pm and reach the capital at 3:45 pm. Ind..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Cement Prices Rise Again in Himachal Pradesh

Cement prices in Himachal Pradesh have increased for the second time this month, raising construction expenses for households, contractors and other consumers. Cement companies raised rates by Rs. 5 per bag on Friday, 10 days after a similar increase was implemented on September 15. The two revisions have lifted prices by a total of Rs. 10 per bag within 10 days. Dealers Pawan, Rohit, Manoj and Rakesh said the latest rates were being applied across the market, adding to the financial pressure on people building or renovating homes. ACC Suraksha cement is now priced at Rs. 425 per bag, compared..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code