THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following the depletion of coal stock, the reduction in power generation in the country has put Kerala, which depends on the central grid and long-term contracts, in crisis. Authorities are concerned whether load shedding has to be resumed if power consumption is not controlled. There has been a decrease of up to 6 million units per day.

According to the Union Ministry of Power, the country has only eight days' supply of coal for power generation. Attempts are being made to import more coal from Indonesia, Australia, and South Africa.

Last year, power consumption in the country fell sharply due to the Covid crisis and thermal power production was stopped. However, with the Covid situation coming under control, people, commercial and industrial establishments became active. This resulted in a rapid increase in power consumption. Power consumption increased by 10 percent in August and 18 percent in September.

The coalfields will remain closed during the monsoon season from June to October. The coal required for this period will be stocked earlier. Last year, there was a huge loss in the import of coal due to the Covid crisis. Following this, several plants did not stock coal this year. This is the cause of the crisis.

Condition in the country

• Electricity demand is 12,75,534 million units per annum
• During the Covid period, it dropped to 4,66,241 million units
• India needs 16,000 million units of electricity per day
• 11000 million units are produced in thermal power plants
• Among the 135 thermal power stations, 50 power stations have coal in stock for only 3 days, while 62 power stations have coal in stock for only a week.
• 23 power stations have stopped production. Shortage of 5000 million units per day.

In Kerala

• The daily requirement of electricity is 78.41 million units
• Daily generation through hydropower project 18.60 million units
• 42 million in Central Grad. The rest is obtained through contract and power exchange
• There was a reduction of 200 MW in contract power and 150 MW from the central grid
• A shortfall of 4 to 6 million units per day
• A unit, that was obtained for Rs 1.90-3.80 on the power exchange, now costs Rs 20.

Kerala, which supplies at Rs 5.50 per unit, cannot afford to buy at Rs 20 on the power exchange. The Electricity Department requests people to cooperate by controlling the use of electricity in the evenings.