Just one week of coal left? Thermal plants face supply crunch

NEW DELHI: Most thermal power plants across the country have enough coal stocks to last only about a week. Heavy rains have inundated coalfields in the northeastern states, affecting coal production and supplies. The movement of coal by rail has also been disrupted by the rains, further aggravating the situation.

According to data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) as of September 17, 23.43 million tonnes of coal were available across 190 power plants. The plants consume an average of 2.70 million tonnes a day. At 85 per cent capacity utilisation, the existing stock would last only about a week. The situation is particularly serious at 59 of the 128 plants that depend on rail transport for coal supplies.

The problem has been compounded by a rise in electricity demand and higher thermal power generation. Electricity demand increased by 9.5 per cent between April and August, while thermal power generation rose by 13 per cent. Coal stocks, however, could not be built up at the same pace. Coal India has also allowed additional coal to be transported by road since September 7.

Power prices touch Rs 20 per unit

On the Indian Energy Exchange, electricity prices in the high-price segment touched Rs 20 per unit on several days between September 6 and 17. The average price also rose to Rs 7.83 per unit.
The country's daily power demand reached a record 269 GW on September 10, adding further pressure to the power supply system.