Jaipur
Notably, apart from other states, Rajasthan power plants also suffered a scarcity of coal which resulted in power cuts across the state during October month.
Updated : Dec 21, 2017, 03:44 AM IST
Ministry of coal has blamed the power plants for the shortage of coal across the country which happened recently. Notably, apart from other states, Rajasthan power plants also suffered a scarcity of coal which resulted in power cuts across the state during October month.
In a reply in Lok Sabha , the ministry replying to question of scarcity of coal in the country, stated that primarily due to failure on the part of the power houses in maintaining stock of coal , as per central electricity authority (CEA) guidelines, during the lean power generation period and unexpected spurt in the demand of thermal power arising out of drop in power generation from other sources, like nuclear, hydro and wind energy during the 2nd quarter of 2017-18 there was a drop in the stock position with the thermal power plants.
The ministry also added that abnormally heavy monsoon in mine areas affected production loading at mines and transportation of coal. With increased coal dispatch from coal India limited sources and continuous monitoring, the situation of coal stock improved at the powerhouses.
The coal ministry has also informed that the despatch during the period April to December 2017, grew by about 9% as compared to despatch during the same period of 2016-17.
This increased coal supply has been mainly responsible for the 4.7% increase in coal-based power generation. Notably, due to coal crisis in the state, electricity department had resorted to power cut of 2 hours in district headquarters, municipality areas and 3 hours in rural areas in October.
There was power cut for two hours in district headquarters and municipality. The coal shortage had lead to a deficit of 3,000 MW of power per day in the state. This had created a serious imbalance in demand and supply of power which had forced electricity companies to resort to load shedding.