Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka proposed a Singareni-KPCL partnership to develop captive coal blocks and support Karnataka’s rising electricity demand.
Bhatti made the proposal during a meeting with Karnataka Energy Minister K. J. George in Bengaluru on Thursday. The two Ministers discussed energy-sector cooperation, coal supplies, payments for coal purchases and technology exchange.
Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta and senior officials from Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) attended the meeting.
Bhatti suggested that SCCL and KPCL form a joint venture to strengthen coal availability for Karnataka’s growing power requirements.
He proposed joint mining operations in the captive coal blocks secured by KPCL in Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Bhatti said Singareni’s nearly 137 years of coal-mining experience could support these operations.
He also pointed to potential cooperation in the power sector. Singareni, he said, could draw on Karnataka’s extensive experience in operating power plants for its proposed projects.
Singareni-KPCL partnership linked to growing power demand
Bhatti suggested that the two State-owned companies examine the feasibility of a joint venture. The proposed partnership would focus on mutual cooperation, development and expansion.
Karnataka Energy Minister K. J. George responded positively to the proposal. He also raised the issue of coal supplied by Singareni to Karnataka.
George said rapid industrial growth had significantly increased Karnataka’s electricity demand. Therefore, he requested Telangana to maintain a continuous coal supply for thermal power projects in the State.
Bhatti responded positively to the request. He assured George that efforts would continue to maintain coal supplies according to allocations made by the Union Ministry of Coal.
Singareni currently supplies 10.54 million tonnes of coal annually to Karnataka through coal linkages, Bhatti said.
Of this, Singareni supplies 5.24 million tonnes annually to the Yerramarus Thermal Power Plant through full linkage. It also supplies 3.01 million tonnes to the Raichur Thermal Power Plant through partial linkage.
Another 2.29 million tonnes goes to the Bellary Unit-3 Thermal Power Plant through partial linkage. In addition, coal reaches Karnataka through at least four rakes every day.
SCCL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Buddhaprakash Jyoti, KPCL Managing Director Rajendra Cholan and KPCL Finance Director Nagaraju participated in the meeting.
SCCL Executive Director (Coal Movement) B. Venkanna, GM Srinivas and other officials also attended.
The meeting covered the proposed Singareni-KPCL partnership, coal supplies and wider cooperation between the two State-owned power and mining enterprises.