Raipur, July 15 - A 500-MW power plant near here stopped generating electrictiy merely two days after it was dedicated to the nation Sunday because of a severe shortage of coal.

The plant, set up by NTPC-SAIL Power Co Ltd (NSPCL) - a joint venture between power utility NTPC Ltd and Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) - is located at Bhilai in Durg district, some 30 km west of Raipur.

Full load generation of 500 MW began July 12 after Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde dedicated the plant to nation at a function.

'It was producing 250 MW till July 12, but now generation has stopped totally since Tuesday due to coal shortage,' said project general manager V.