No takers for 45% fuel at CIL auction, 8.5% premium for rest

Kolkata: Coal India found no takers for about 45% of fuel offered for annual supply at an auction last week, while the rest fetched an average premium of 8.5% over notified prices. Coal was offered to plants without fuel supply contracts or power purchase agreements (PPAs).

“Premiums registered at the Shakti B(III) auction were far lower than what Coal India fetches at regular spot or forward e-auctions, which has been hovering around 30%,” said a senior Coal India executive.

Against an offer of 11.8 million tonnes, 6.5 million tonnes were booked. Around 18% of the quantity fetched no premium. About 19% of the offer fetched the highest premium of Rs 160 per tonne. About 7% of the quantity fetched Rs 10 premium while some 10% fetched Rs 100 premium.


The offer was considered meagre by private producers who alleged it would fetch hefty premiums of almost Rs 500 crore.

Eligible power companies were Jindal’s Tamnar & Raigarh plant, Derang Plant & Torangulu plant, Raipur Energen’s Raikheda plant, Essar’s Mahan plant, Jaypee’s Nigrie Plant, Dainik’s Badadarha plant, RKM’s Uchpinda plant, KSK Mahanadi’s Akaltara plant and GMR’s Kamalanga Plant.

“Coal India will fetch a maximum premium of Rs 50 crore annually from this round of auction. Annual revenue is estimated at Rs 630 crore if all plants consume their booked quantities,” the Coal India executive said.

Companies that booked coal in this auction will have to enter into power purchase agreements within two years of completion of the auction and supplies will start on submission of regulatory approval.

“Power generators will be under pressure to enter into PPAs with distribution companies as failure will result in termination of the supply contract and forfeiture of the bid security of Rs 1 crore per lakh tonne,” a power company executive said.