Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) is facing problems in running all its seven units due to technical reasons and wet coal problem, which is affecting its power generation.
Though north Karnataka region has been receiving good rainfall for the past few days, it did not bring the much-needed relief in solving the power problems since three of the seven units at RTPS have stopped functioning.
In the past few months, RTPS has been finding it difficult to keep all the units functioning to generate power, thanks to technical problems.
Now due to wet coal problem, only the third, fourth and fifth units are functioning. The first, second and sixth units have already become defunct. The seventh unit also stopped recently due to wet coal problem. The generation of power from the fourth unit is also not up to the mark, sources said.
Huge quantity of coal arrives here from Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. RTPS has a huge yard around it to dump and store the coal. However, the stock gets wet during monsoon season. Bulldozers are unable to push the wet coal till the boiler, due to excess moisture in the coal. “Because of this, the functioning of seventh and first units have been suspended,” officials said.
Official sources said RTPS has to generate 1,470 MW power everyday, with each unit generating about 220 MW. But now, RTPS is struggling to generate even 500 MW. During monsoon, the work load on RTPS is that high, as hydel power projects generate sufficient power, making the most of the season. But with less power generation at hydel stations, the RTPS is expected to generate more power during this monsoon.
If the coal gets wet during rainy season, the stock catches fire during scorching summer. This apart, RTPS has been reeling under technical problems for some years now, officials said.
Speaking to media, RTPS executive director HN Narayanprasad said: “There are no technical problems in RTPS right now, all units are ready to generate the power. But some of them are not functioning due to wet coal.”
The main suppliers of coal are from north India, which is also receiving heavy rainfall recently. Due to this, the suppliers are sending wet coal, he added.
Though north Karnataka region has been receiving good rainfall for the past few days, it did not bring the much-needed relief in solving the power problems since three of the seven units at RTPS have stopped functioning.
In the past few months, RTPS has been finding it difficult to keep all the units functioning to generate power, thanks to technical problems.
Now due to wet coal problem, only the third, fourth and fifth units are functioning. The first, second and sixth units have already become defunct. The seventh unit also stopped recently due to wet coal problem. The generation of power from the fourth unit is also not up to the mark, sources said.
Huge quantity of coal arrives here from Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. RTPS has a huge yard around it to dump and store the coal. However, the stock gets wet during monsoon season. Bulldozers are unable to push the wet coal till the boiler, due to excess moisture in the coal. “Because of this, the functioning of seventh and first units have been suspended,” officials said.
Official sources said RTPS has to generate 1,470 MW power everyday, with each unit generating about 220 MW. But now, RTPS is struggling to generate even 500 MW. During monsoon, the work load on RTPS is that high, as hydel power projects generate sufficient power, making the most of the season. But with less power generation at hydel stations, the RTPS is expected to generate more power during this monsoon.
If the coal gets wet during rainy season, the stock catches fire during scorching summer. This apart, RTPS has been reeling under technical problems for some years now, officials said.
Speaking to media, RTPS executive director HN Narayanprasad said: “There are no technical problems in RTPS right now, all units are ready to generate the power. But some of them are not functioning due to wet coal.”
The main suppliers of coal are from north India, which is also receiving heavy rainfall recently. Due to this, the suppliers are sending wet coal, he added.
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