The public-sector Nalco has shut down 80 electrolytic pots in the smelter plant here due to low generetion of power from its Captive Power Plant (CPP) for acute shortage of coal.

Since the coal supply position is not improving, in order to secure the safety of pots, Nalco may be forced to further shut down up to 227 electrolytic pots in phases, depending upon the power generation in CPP, matching with coal receipt.

Even though the Nalco has been allocated two coal blocks since long , it has failed to operate the mines and now is fully  dependent upon the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) for supply of coal to its CPP at Angul and Steam and Power Plant at Damanjodi. The Nalco’s requirement of coal for its CPP at Angul is around 17,000 tonnes per day. At present, Nalco’s CPP is receiving only around 8,000 – 9,000 tonnes per day and there is a shortfall of around 7,000 – 8,000 tonnes.

Due to this short supply, which is running since the last seven weeks, the buffer stock of coal available with Nalco’s CPP has been exhausted.

Since the supply of coal has not improved, Nalco has been drawing around 190 MW of power from the State grid. As on date, 80 electrolytic pots in the smelter plant have been stopped.

"Presently five units of total 10 of CPP, each of 120 MW capacity, are shutdown and further shutdown of pots will severely affect the public sector," told  working president, Nalco Shramik Congress Union, Bibhab Jena.

Short supply of coal has severely impacted aluminium production of Nalco and also the cost of power, as the power purchased from the grid is costly as compared to the power produced by the Nalco at its CPP.