NEW DELHI: India’s peak electricity demand exceeded 210 gigawatts (GW) at 3 pm on Tuesday, also to break the previous record of 209.8 GW hit a day earlier. Coal India Limited (CIL) invited bids for import of coal for the first time with a view to help the generating companies in making fuel inventory for the rainy season.
Reflecting rising demand, energy consumption – or units of electricity consumption – also clocked a historic 4,712 million units (MU) and gross output across the country touched an all-time high of 4,824 MU on Tuesday as a result of the government’s efforts. 24X7 cheap electricity for all, tweeted Power Minister RK Singh.
Relentless heat wave due to break in monsoon and steady increase in demand due to expansion of economic activity indicate resilience in fuel supply chain system despite logistical challenges amid low coal stocks at most power plants. The increasing availability of wind and hydroelectric power is also helping to ease the pressure on railways to transport coal.
CIL’s tender for import of 2.4 million tonnes of coal in the July-September period is aimed at enlisting in seven state gencos and 19 independent power plants.
The move comes after the Center ordered states and Genco to import coal for 10% blending with domestic supplies. Subsequently, states suggested single-point procurement to avoid unwanted competition, which would have pushed coal prices further. CIL was then given the mandate.
CIL is seeking coal with a gross calorific value of 5,000 kcal, which will replace twice the quantity of domestic coal. CIL will supply coal to nine ports on the east and west coasts and supply to power plants. The source of coal is not mentioned in the tender but there is a provision of 30% variation in quantity. The bidding will close on June 29.
After price discovery, CIL will enter into a contract with the successful bidder for supply of coal and back-to-back agreements with Genco and power plants in the state, which have requisitioned the fuel.
Reflecting rising demand, energy consumption – or units of electricity consumption – also clocked a historic 4,712 million units (MU) and gross output across the country touched an all-time high of 4,824 MU on Tuesday as a result of the government’s efforts. 24X7 cheap electricity for all, tweeted Power Minister RK Singh.
Relentless heat wave due to break in monsoon and steady increase in demand due to expansion of economic activity indicate resilience in fuel supply chain system despite logistical challenges amid low coal stocks at most power plants. The increasing availability of wind and hydroelectric power is also helping to ease the pressure on railways to transport coal.
CIL’s tender for import of 2.4 million tonnes of coal in the July-September period is aimed at enlisting in seven state gencos and 19 independent power plants.
The move comes after the Center ordered states and Genco to import coal for 10% blending with domestic supplies. Subsequently, states suggested single-point procurement to avoid unwanted competition, which would have pushed coal prices further. CIL was then given the mandate.
CIL is seeking coal with a gross calorific value of 5,000 kcal, which will replace twice the quantity of domestic coal. CIL will supply coal to nine ports on the east and west coasts and supply to power plants. The source of coal is not mentioned in the tender but there is a provision of 30% variation in quantity. The bidding will close on June 29.
After price discovery, CIL will enter into a contract with the successful bidder for supply of coal and back-to-back agreements with Genco and power plants in the state, which have requisitioned the fuel.