The policy note of the energy department for 2009-10 tabled in the Assembly states that the electricity board faces a shortfall of about 2 million tonne of coal on an annual requirement of 15 million tonne to fuel 4 thermal plants that generate 2,970 MW. The TNEB manages to bridge the shortfall through imports.
But as a permanent measure, the TNEB has decided to go in for captive coal mines. It has been allotted 2 coal blocks Gare Pelma Sector II coal block in Chhattisgarh along with Maharashtra State Mining Corporation and the Mandakini B coal block in Orissa along with the State mining corporations of Orissa, Assam and Meghalaya. The board’s share would be 8.5 million tonne of coal a year with 5 million tonne from the Chhattisgarh mines and the balance from Orissa.
The JV Maha Tamil Collieries Limited with Maharashtra State Mining Corporation is in the pipeline. The other JV with the mining corporations of Orissa, Assam and Meghalaya has been formed and further developments are being followed up.
According to the policy note, the 17th electrical power survey by the Central Electricity Authority projects a shortfall of 1,801 MW in 2009-10 which is expected to increase to 2,800 MW by 2013-14. The State Government hopes to manage the shortfall through renewable energy and other sources.
Moving the demand for grants to the Energy Department, Mr Arcot N Veeraswami minister of electricity said that the total installed generation capacity in the State is 15,100 MW including 4,886 MW from renewable sources.
However, wind mills constitute the major portion of power from renewable sources with an established capacity of 4,310 MW, cogeneration plants 466 MW and biomass plants 109 MW. The maximum peak demand during 2008-09 was 9,576 MW and maximum daily consumption 214 million units in May 2009. During the current year the demand is estimated at about 11,675 MW.
Mr Veeraswami said the growth in power demand was fuelled by the growth in industrial investment in the State and the Government’s concerted efforts to enhance power supply to all segments of the society.