Home Ministry held a meeting to evaluate the power and coal supply situations in the country
The meeting was conducted in the North Block of the Home Ministry to discuss the electricity situation and the supply of low ash coal to the country’s major thermal power plants.
Thermal power plants around the country are experiencing coal shortages, foreshadowing a coming power crisis. With mercury level rising, power demand in states has grown, and several of them are unable to bridge the demand-supply gap due to low coal reserves at thermal plants.
Following reports of coal shortages in numerous states, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a meeting on Tuesday with Power Minister R.K. Singh, Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav to discuss the situation of supply of coal to the thermal power plants in the country. Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, CMD of Naveli Lignite Corporation, and top officials from the Coal Ministry were also present at the meeting.
The meeting was convened in the Home Ministry’s North Block to examine the electricity and coal supply situation to the country’s numerous thermal power plants. In light of an early rise in temperature this year, the Ministers allegedly reviewed the supply situation of coal to thermal power plants and current electricity demands in an hour-long discussion.
This review meeting was held following the reporting of low coal stockpiles with thermal power plants by several states, according to officials. It has been reported that due to a lack of coal supplies as many as 12 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Haryana, are now experiencing intermittent power outages.
Since the continuing Russia-Ukraine war, thermal power firms are experiencing a scarcity of low ash coal being unable to obtain coal shipments from Russia. According to available information the government is considering importing inexpensive coal from other countries in order to fulfill the shortfall that emerged as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Meanwhile, the Railways Minister has been asked to expedite coal cargoes to thermal power facilities that are having the lowest coal stockpiles.
Connect with Power Insight: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter
