Renewable Energy

Energy crisis: Expensive, unreliable source of electricity, coal in spotlight

The power sector has begun to recognise coal as a ‘zombie fuel’ 

 
By Binit Das
Published: Monday 08 November 2021

In early October 2021, a sudden, major energy crisis shocked India. Coal producers, distribution companies, state governments — as well as the Union coal and power ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office — were consumed by the crisis alike.

Identifying the causes

India’s electricity demand has been on a surge due to recent economic growth. Peak demand during September and October 2021 was about 175 gigawatt, down from 200 GW in July.

The peak demand was met in July with enough coal-powered production along with generation of wind and hydro-power. Prior to the current crisis, there was a surge in demand from late June to mid-July and August.

The crisis is not as much about a hike in demand as it is about the lack of preparation on the supply side.

Coal stocks reached a record high of 132 million tonnes (MT) at the end of financial year 2020-21. Coal India Ltd (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) had the highest stockpiles at pitheads.

The consumption increased by 21 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020; 7 per cent over 2019 and 11 per cent over 2018, based on the coal stock positions from January-July (for seven months) over the last four years.

CIL had a much larger stockpile of coal than usual over 40 MT even at the end of September. So how did the situation become so unstable?

Monsoon affects the CIL production every year, but this year was different: The prolonged monsoon compounded coal shortage. Logistical problems led to lower coal demand during the period.

CIL still had enough coal supplies despite these issues. On October 9, the total coal despatch — such as coal produced by CIL and SCCL, coal from captive mines and imported coal — amounted to 1.92 MT against 1.87 MT of coal consumption.

On 12 October, the coal despatch increased to 2 MT.

Despite enough coal at CIL’s end, dispatch to coal-fired power plants became an issue. What made the situation worse were restricted supplies from CIL because of delayed payments in states where coal power producers owed large amounts to discoms.

Daily coal stock analysis revealed a deterioration since more plants reported critical levels of coal supplies. The number of plants with critical coal sources increased from 23 on August 1 to 92 (with total installed capacity of 112 GW) on September 9. It went up to 102 on 22 September (123 GW).

On October 10, critical coal supply was 140 GW.

Power producers had not stocked enough coal in the run-up to the monsoon when coal stocks and dispatchability from CIL were not an issue.

Power producers tried to ‘play it safe’ dreading another wave of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic during the festive season, by not maintaining the required coal stock supplies at their end. That is the main reason for coal supply crisis.

Additionally, with the increase in import costs of Indonesian coal — from $60 / tonne in March 2021 to $200 / tonne in September / October for 5,000 Kcal / kg GAR coal — the shortfall could not be met with coal imports.

Power producers are reluctant to increase coal imports due to the skyrocketing price of imported coal and hence, incur the losses.

Wind generation dropped from 510 MUs in August 2021 to 100-150 MUs in September-October 2021; but this is a normal seasonal event.

Solar’s contribution to the grid has grown steadily and reliably in the meantime.

Search for solutions

The Union government has sprung into action in response to the current energy crisis. Domestic coal production and coal off-take have increased. The government has suggested blending 10 per cent of imported coal with domestic coal, which would soften high coal price.

It has asked power plants with captive mines to use these mines to the fullest. Nearly half of the annual output of captive mines can now be sold in open market.

We should be progressively shun coal by constructing clean, cheaper domestic alternatives as quickly as possible. Coal is a ‘zombie fuel’.

Almost any knee-jerk reaction that urges more investment in coal is completely unhelpful. Costs associated with coal-based generation are high and inflationary.

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