National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), which aims to run its Talcher power station at higher plant load factor (PLF), has requested the state government to direct Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd, a subsidiary of Coal India (CIL) to step up coal supply over and above the assured quantity.

The Talcher unit of the power producer is currently running at 91.45 per cent PLF against the target of 95 per cent. To maintain the target for the full year, the plant needs to run at 104 per cent PLF in the balance period and hence the need for more coal.