West Bengal sits on a rich belt of coal, but the quality and supply chain vary. If the coal supplied to Kolaghat or Bakreswar has high ash content or moisture, the calorific value drops, leading to a reduction in boiler efficiency. This directly impacts the real-time MW output. During the coal crisis periods often seen in the monsoon season, WBPDCL real-time generation figures often dip as plants run at lower capacity to conserve fuel.
If you monitor live data during monsoon season (June to September), you will notice a characteristic "sawtooth" pattern. Why? Rakes are delayed due to waterlogged tracks. Coal stockpiles at the plant drop below critical levels (less than 7 days). The SLDC then issues an order to ramp down generation. Wbpdcl Real Time Generation
To understand real-time generation, one must know the assets involved. WBPDCL operates several thermal power plants, predominantly coal-based, located in the Damodar Valley coalfields. These include: West Bengal sits on a rich belt of