Due to the scorching heat, the electricity demand is increasing across the country. In such a situation, a quarter of the country's power plants are closed. As a result, power cuts of up to 10 hours have started in 16 states. According to government records, 10,000 MW, ie 150 million units, are being cut across the country, but the power shortage is much greater. Meanwhile, the Railway Ministry has taken a big step. Railways have canceled several passenger trains till May 24 for a faster supply of coal to power plants so that goods trains carrying coal can reach the designated stations on time.
According to Indian Railways Executive Director Gaurav Krishna Bansal, the decision to cancel passenger trains is temporary. Services will be resumed as soon as the situation normalizes. After this decision, Railways is going to add one lakh more wagons to its fleet. Apart from this, Railways is also building a dedicated freight corridor for faster movement of goods.
Average daily loading increased for the first time in 5 years
These include long-distance mail and express 500 trains. Along with this, the Railways have also increased the average daily loading of coal rakes to more than 400. This figure is the highest in the last year. Railways are hauling 415 coal rakes per day to meet the current demand for coal. Each of these coal rakes holds 3500 tonnes of coal.
trouble in the capital
At the same time, the effect of a power cut is now starting to happen in the national capital Delhi as well. The Delhi government has expressed its inability to provide a 24x7 power supply to several essential institutions, including the Metro and hospitals, amid the deepening crisis of coal shortage. Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain held an emergency meeting on Thursday to assess the situation. Also wrote a letter to the Center requesting it to ensure the availability of sufficient coal to the power plants supplying electricity to the national capital.
Jain said that the power supply from Dadri-2 and Unchahar power stations could be disrupted. At present, 25-30% of the electricity demand in Delhi is being met from these power stations. There is a shortage of coal in these stations for the last few days. In this case, the problem can deepen at any time.
On the other hand, there is a shortage of more than 3 thousand MW in UP alone. There is a demand for 23 thousand MW of electricity, while the supply is 20 thousand MW. The main reason for power cuts is the closure of one-fourth of the country's power plants. 50% of these plants are closed due to a shortage of coal.
Power sector expert Shailendra Dubey told Bhaskar that the current power generation capacity in the country is 3.99 lakh MW. It has a share of 1.10 lakh MW of renewable energy (solar wind). Out of the remaining 2.89 lakh MW, plants of 72,074 MW capacity are closed. Of these, 38,826 MW can be produced in plants, but fuel is not available. The 9,745 MW plants have scheduled shutdowns. Plants with a capacity of 23,503 MW are lying closed due to other reasons.
The power plant has only 25% coal from capacity, this is the main reason
According to the Ministry of Power, the country's 18 private plants i.e. power stations, which are located at the mouth of coal mines, have 78% coal of the prescribed standard. While 147 remote power stations (non-pithead plants) have an average coal availability of 25% of the standard. If the coal stock with these power stations was 100% as per the stipulated norm, then pithate plants can run for 17 days and non-pithead plants for 26 days.
Of the total 173 power plants in the country, 106 plants have coal between zero and 25%. Coal plants schedule power generation according to the coal stock. When the stock is full, the production is complete.
Railways have said that there has been an increase of 10% in coal supply in a week. The time taken by the goods train from the mine to the plant is reduced from 12% to 36%.
Plants should run at full capacity: Joshi
Union Minister of Coal and Mines Prahlad Joshi said that thermal plants across the country have 22 million tonnes of coal, which is enough for 10 days. In such a situation, they should be produced at full capacity. CCL Managing Director PM Prasad said that 2.2 lakh tonnes of coal will be given daily to the plants.
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