Archive · 30 Jul 2026
KPCL Secures Extra Coal to Offset Hydropower Shortfall
Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) wants to make more electricity because the rain is not enough to run its water plants.
They went to a coal company in Nagpur and got promises for more coal.
Now the coal will help the big power plants in Raichur and Ballari run more.
The state Energy Minister says everything is ready and the trains will bring the coal to the plants.
This will help Karnataka keep the lights on even when the water is low.
KPCL secured commitments for extra coal from Western Coalfields Limited and Baranj Captive Coal Mine to boost thermal power output.
WCL will supply an additional 4,000 metric tonnes of coal per day to Raichur Thermal Power Station, while Baranj will increase supply to Ballari units from 16,000 to 25,000 tonnes daily.
KPCL aims to generate 100 million units of electricity daily from Raichur, Yermarus, and Ballari thermal plants to compensate for reduced hydropower due to low rainfall.
Central Railway officials will provide empty rakes to transport the increased coal to Karnataka’s thermal stations.
The state Energy Minister K J George confirmed that KPCL has taken all necessary measures to maintain operational readiness of thermal plants.
- Who
- Karnataka Power Corporation Limited, Minister K J George, Managing Director Rajendra Cholan
- What
- Secured additional coal supplies to increase thermal power generation
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Karnataka, visits to Western Coalfields Limited and Baranj Captive Coal Mine in Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Why
- To offset decline in hydropower output caused by deficient rainfall
- Coal supply increase at Raichur
- 4,000 metric tonnes per day
- Coal supply increase at Ballari
- 9,000 metric tonnes per day (from 16,000 to 25,000)
- Target electricity generation
- 100 million units per day
- Coal rakes required
- up to 20 per day
- Railway rakes provided
- empty rakes from Central Railway