With shortage in hydel and wind energy, KPCL to ramp up thermal power from January

Yermarus Thermal Power Station. | Photo Credit: File photo Amid a shortage in hydel and wind energy, the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) will procure around 18 rakes of coal per day instead of 14 to ramp up generation from thermal power stations from an average of 50-60 million units (MU) to 85-90 MU per day from January 2027 onwards.Recently, KPCL managing director Rajendra Cholan met officials from the Ministry of Coal in New Delhi to discuss the coal requirement to ramp up thermal power.Current needSpeaking to The Hindu, he said, “At present, we need 14 rakes per day to generate an average of 50 to 60 MU of thermal power per day, which is 56,000 tonnes of coal. One rake of coal consists of 4,000 tonnes. Since power generation of wind and hydel energy has reduced, we will ramp up the thermal energy production by using 17 to 18 rakes per day, which comes up to 68,000 to 72,000 tonnes of coal per day.”He added that the Ministry of Coal has also agreed to provide 40 to 50 lakh tonnes of coal this year depending on the availability of coal in the mines and requirements of other States.Elaborating on the thermal plants in Karnataka, he said, “On an average, Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), Ballari Thermal Power Station (BTPS) and Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS) is generating around 25 MU, 34 MU and 26 MU per day, respectively. Power generation in all the three stations will be ramped up.”He added that arrangements have been made to increase the daily coal supply from the Baranj Captive Coal Mine, which is allocated to Units 1 and 2 of the Ballari Thermal Power Station, from the current 16,000 tonnes to 25,000 tonnes. “We have also requested for more coal from Western Coal Fields Limited and Mahanadi Coal Fields Limited. However, we are not getting sufficient coal from Telangana Singareni Colleries Company Limited (SCCL). While the coal linkage with SCCL is eight rakes per day, we are currently receiving four rakes only,” Mr. Cholan said.Generation nowRegarding the current status of hydel power, he said, “On an average, the hydel power generated is 40 MU per day for September and October. But due to insufficient rains, the availability of hydel power is also low. Last year, we generated 8,000 MW of hydropower, which has now reduced to 5,000 MW.”Meanwhile, Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, said, “We are cautious and aware about the situation and hence, the department is taking measures at various levels to procure coal from coal mines under the Ministry of Coal and electricity from other sources. Even farmers are under distress as the IP sets in fields need to run on electricity to provide water for crops. Due to less rains this year, the generation of wind power has also plunged from 2,000 MW to 1,000 MW or lesser. Published - September 21, 2026 11:06 pm IST