Govt extends mandate for imported coal-based power plants to operate till October
NEW DELHI –The power ministry has directed imported coal-based power units to run at full capacity further till October in the backdrop of electricity demand smashing records in August.
The ministry had in February directed the imported coal-based plants to run optimally till June 15 starting March 16, under section 11 of the Electricity Act in anticipation of higher demand in summer. It was then extended till September end.
However, electricity demand met in India reached record highs this month touching 234 GW on August 17.
Apart from August 17, highs were recorded on other days this month. August 10 saw maximum demand met at 224.8 GW and August 11 at 228.9 GW.
Experts have attributed the unanticipated rise in demand to the rise in irrigation needs in some parts of the country and humid weather.
Lower wind power generation has also put some pressure on thermal capacities, they said.Coal stock at power plants have depleted at a tad faster pace than previous months. The stocks fell to 31.8 million tonnes as of August 21 from 34.9 million tonnes on August 1.
Coal minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday said there was sufficient stock with Coal India Ltd and at plants to meet the rise in demand.
March-May saw less electricity demand on an average that resulted in less-than-expected depletion of coal stocks at plants.
