The National Thermal Power Corp (NTPC) is using imported coal to generate power, making it costlier. As Chhattisgarh incurs an extra Rs 120 crore to procure the electricity, a Variable Cost Adjustment (VCA) hike has been imposed on consumers.
Due to non-availability of domestic coal to thermal power stations, the Power Ministry has allowed the use of imported coal up to a maximum of 15 percent, an official statement said.
NTPC has used 10-15 percent imported coal since June 2022 in some thermal power plants. The rate of imported coal is 4-6 times higher than that of domestic coal. Thus, the cost will also be 4-6 times more.
NTPC is giving priority to the use of imported coal in non-pithead plants like Mouda, Khargone, Gadarwara, Solapur and others over thermal power plants at Korba.
From January to March, the average rate of only energy charge for electricity being purchased from NTPC plants was Rs 1.97 per unit, which has gone up to Rs 2.78 between June and August -- an increase of more than 40 percent.
As a result, to make an additional payment of about Rs 120 crore per month to the NTPC, VCA charges has been imposed on consumers at the rate of about 30 paisa per unit.
