Light at the end of tunnel for Sasan

There were positive reactions yesterday as Reliance Power begun mining coal from Sasan blocks in Madhya Pradesh six months ahead of the expected date. It targets increasing the output to at least 20 million tonnes per annum in four years.
Coal from the mines is going to be used to generate electricity at the company’s exciting Sasan Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP),one of India’s largest domestic coal-based power plants. The production capacity of the plant will be 3,960 MW.
“This is a milestone moment for Reliance Power and for the Indian power sector,” Anil Ambani, chairman of Reliance Power, said in a statement.

“Scarcity of coal is the biggest challenges facing the power sector in India. We will be able to get 20 million tonnes per annum from these mines as a result of our efforts to optimise coal production by latest and advanced mining technologies,” Ambani said.

The company targets 20 million coal production annually from Moher and Moher-Amlohri coal mines associated with the Sasan project.

“We remain committed to increasing production in India to reduce imports and save precious foreign exchange,” said J.P. Chalasani, chief executive officer of Reliance Power.

Sasan coal mines are deploying the largest mining equipment ever used in India. The equipment includes giant rope shovels, dumper trucks, dozers and graders.