-13 coal-run power plants shut
-Needless panic, enough coal stock: Govt
Due to countrywide shortage of coal, over 13 power generating units supplying electricity in the state have shut down and now Maharashtra might be staring at consistent load shedding or power cuts.
This has led to a shortfall of 3,330 megawatts (MW) and prompted Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to implore people to use power sparingly during the peak hours between 6 am to 10 am and between 6 pm to 10 pm to ensure that there is no additional load on the power infrastructure.
Even when the threat looms large, state power minister Nitin Raut has not yet commented on the same.
To make matters worse, the cash-strapped power ministry has been procuring power at exorbitant rates. For instance, 800 MW was procured for ₹13.60 per unit while another 900 MW were procured at ₹6.23.
Delhi too might face power crisis, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, ‘Delhi could face a power crisis. I am personally keeping a close watch over the situation. We are trying our best to avoid it. In the meanwhile, I wrote to Hon’ble PM seeking his personal intervention’.
However, after several states, including Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab, flagged blackout possibilities citing coal shortage at power plants, the Centre on Sunday said coal stock at power plants was sufficient for over four days and fears of power disruption were misplaced.
Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said ample coal was available in the country to meet the demand of power plants. Power Minister RK Singh reiterated the assurance.
The Coal Ministry in a statement said, “Any fear of disruption in power supply is entirely misplaced. Coal stock at power plant-end is about 72 lakh tonne, sufficient for four days and at Coal India- end, it is over 400 lakh tonne which is being supplied to the power plants.”
13 coal-run power plants have been shut, which include, the one in Chandrapur, Bhusawal (2), Nashik, Paras, Chandrapur, Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (4), Ratan India Power Limited (3).
