Depleting coal stock adds to power woes

Patiala, September 1

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Punjab, along with many other states, is staring at another power crisis as various thermal plants, both private and state-owned, are left with coal stock of less than eight days and have reached “critical” or “supercritical” stage.

The stock has been affected following heavy rains and subsequent flooding of coal mines. The shortage means that the power rates across the national power exchange have also gone up. Punjab is left with the coal stock of less than 15 days against average 30 days. “With paddy season almost at its fag end and relaxing heat wave conditions, there may not be coal crisis in Punjab as of now,” said VK Gupta, spokesman for All India Power Engineers Federation. “However, if coal stocks are not replenished in the next week or so, there could be some problem in power generation,” he said.

Coal shortage is due to high demand as Covid restrictions have been relaxed and nonpayment of dues and rains. — TNS