Power generation hit due to water stagnation
There has been a further drop of 350 MW in power generation as the workers’ strike, protesting the Centre’s move to disinvest in Neyveli Lignite Corporation, entered the fourth day on Sunday.
A top official of NLC said only 2,140 MW was generated against the full capacity of 2,490 MW of the three thermal stations owing to the technical snag developed in steam line pipes.
According to the NLC official, the production of lignite has been affected in the three mines due to water stagnation as the technicians of mines’ water controlling unit joined the agitation from Saturday.
He said the mines may submerge in the stagnating groundwater. The official said the lignite stored in bunkers was being used for generation and it will last for another four days and once this is exhausted, the power generation will be decreased to zero level.
The official said NLC will operate the thermal units with ‘burns oil’ instead of lignite to avoid complete shutdown so that each unit will continue to generate at least 30 MW. This is being planned because once the plant shuts down, it will take weeks to generate power, he said.
About 30,000 NLC workers are on agitation since Wednesday last. However, 7,000 engineers and officers are not taking part in the strike.The trade unions would picket the first thermal station at 5 am on Tuesday.