Energy Conservation
1. Power and Fuel Consumption
Electricity Purchased
| Sl. No. | Particulars | Unit | 2023–24 | 2022–23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I.a | Purchased Units | M.KWH | 835.42 | 831.12 |
| I.b | Total Amount Paid to Supply Agencies (Approx.) | Rs. in Crore | 610.05 | 627.41 |
| I.c | Rate/Unit (Average) | Rs./KWH | 7.30 | 7.54 |
| I.d | Specific Consumption of Electricity (Approx.) | KWH/Cum | 4.04 | 5.24 |
Demand of Power
| Sl. No. | Particulars | Unit | 2023–24 | 2022–23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| II.a | Average Demand | MVA | 178.84 | 180.16 |
| II.b | Contract Demand | MVA | 199.33 | 199.89 |
| II.c | % Utilisation | % | 89.72 | 90.00 |
2. Solar Power Initiatives
Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) is actively pursuing solar energy projects to align with Coal India Limited's directive for subsidiaries to become Net Zero Companies.
Installed Capacity and Generation
| Year | Installed Capacity (MW) | Generation (Lakh kWh) | Savings (Rs. in Lakh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 1.906 | 7.12 | 34.75 |
| 2023–24 | 1.906 | 8.47 | 42.72 |
Planned Solar Projects for 2024–25
| Project | Capacity (MWp) | Expected Commissioning |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Mounted Solar Plant | 35.00 | August 2024 |
| Rooftop Solar Plant | 3.732 | October 2024 |
| Floating Solar Plant at Salanpur Area | 5.00 | March 2025 |
| Ground Mounted Solar Plant at Sonepur Bazari Area | 5.00 | March 2025 |
ECL has also identified suitable land for additional solar power installations in FY 2025–26 to further its Net Zero objectives.
3. Energy Conservation Measures
To enhance energy efficiency across different units and establishments, the following steps were undertaken:
- Replaced 450 conventional fans with BLDC fans (Super Fans).
- Replaced 152 old air conditioners with energy-efficient models.
- Replaced 12 old water heaters with energy-efficient versions.
- Replaced 2,508 conventional lights with LED lights.
- Replaced 5 old motors with energy-efficient motors.
- Installed 50 auto-timers for street lights.
Anticipated Outcomes:
- Estimated energy savings: 1.5 million units.
- Monetary savings: Rs. 1.10 crore (approximately) for the year 2023–24.
- Reduction in CO₂ emissions: 1,237 tonnes.
Additional Benefit:
Improvement in Power Factor resulted in a net gain of Rs. 11.95 crore (approximately) in FY 2023–24.
4. Underground Machinery Performance
| Equipment | 2023–24 (TPD) | 2022–23 (TPD) |
|---|---|---|
| SDL | 225 | 204 |
| LHD | 33 | 38 |
| Continuous Miner | 11 (1,310) | 9 (1,440) |
| Road Header | 1 (44) | 1 (162) |
| Longwall | 1 (1,802) | 1 (2,797) |
| Highwall | 2 (1,204) | 1 (1,031) |
5. Performance of Coal Handling Plants (CHPs)
As of 31st March 2024, the two major CHPs at Sonepur Bazari and Rajmahal handled 21.05 million tonnes (MT) of coal in FY 2023–24, compared to 13.62 MT in FY 2022–23.
6. Major Achievements in 2023–24
- Issued work order for the installation and commissioning of a 35 MW Ground Mounted Solar Plant in ECL.
- Procured 16 new electric vehicles for ECL operations.
- Issued work order for the conversion of 4 steam winders to electric winders.
- Issued Letter of Award (LOA) for the installation and commissioning of a 3.73 MW Rooftop Solar Plant in ECL.
