Telangana Genco Flags Poor Coal Quality From Singareni Collieries

In a letter addressed to the Chairman and Managing Director of SCCL, TG-Genco’s CMD S. Harish requested immediate action to improve coal quality and regulate lower-grade supplies to prevent loss of power generation across its thermal power plants.

TG-Genco’s key thermal stations — KTPS-VII, BTPS, YTPS, KTPS-V, KTPS-VI, and KTPP-I — collectively have an annual FSA allocation of 28.872 million tonnes of coal. This includes 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of G10–11 grade for KTPS-VII, 4.2 MTPA of G9–10 for BTPS, 14 MTPA of G9 for YTPS, and smaller allocations for the remaining units combining G13–15 and G11 grades.

However, the CMD pointed out that SCCL has been supplying mostly lower-grade G14–15 coal, with a gross calorific value (GCV) between 2,800 and 3,400 Kcal/kg, far below the design requirement of 4,375 Kcal/kg. These inferior supplies have forced TG-Genco’s plants to operate at partial loads, reducing efficiency and output.

The letter noted that this situation has led to a decline in plant load factor (PLF), reduced compliance with Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) norms, and loss of revenue. Additionally, the use of poor-quality coal has increased wear and tear on boiler components, auxiliary power consumption, and heat rate, while burdening the ash evacuation system due to high ash content.

The Genco CMD also expressed concern that SCCL appears to be supplying higher-grade coal to other States’ utilities at the expense of Telangana’s plants. He highlighted that in September, TG-Genco received only 26 per cent of its coal in G6–G10 grades, and by 12 October, the figure had dropped to just 13 per cent.

Harish urged SCCL to restore coal supplies as per the FSA grades to enable full-capacity operations at the state’s power plants and ensure uninterrupted electricity generation.