Coal Shortage Forces Telangana to Source Coal Outside Singareni

Hyderabad, September 24 – The shutdown of the Yadadri thermal power plant exposed a critical gap in the state’s coal supply chain. G‑9 grade coal, essential for the plant’s technology, is unavailable from the Singareni coalfields because the mines do not hold any G‑9 blocks and have been unable to secure new ones after previous administrations opted out of e‑auctions.

Chief Minister A. Revant Reddy directed the Energy Department to approach Great Indian Coalfields and Coal India Ltd for an emergency purchase of the required grade. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatty Vikramarka confirmed that a discussion with Union Coal Minister Kishan Reddy will be arranged shortly to lock in the supply.

The review committee cited the past decision to locate the plant far from existing coal mines, which resulted in an estimated extra transport burden of 40,000 crore rupees for the state. By sourcing coal from central agencies, the government hopes to bridge the immediate shortfall and resume full‑capacity power generation before the festive season.

Officials are also examining the feasibility of bringing new coal blocks into production or renegotiating contracts with existing suppliers to prevent similar disruptions in the future.