No shortage of coal for power sector: Minister G Kishan Reddy
G Kishan Reddy said there is «no shortage» of coal for the power sector and the Centre will ensure adequate supply of the dry fuel to meet demand. The long-term demand will be met by increased productivity of Coal India and commercial mines, he said.
«We are supplying coal to all thermal power plants. We have requested plants based on imported coal to switch their technology to utilise domestic fuel. There is no shortage of coal in the country,» Reddy, the minister for coal and mines, told PTI.
Coal production usually faces hindrances during the monsoon season.
Some technical issues related to commercial mines were being addressed, he said without divulging the details.
Two South Eastern Coalfields blocks among world's 10 largest coal mines
Speaking on the power ministry's advisory related to four per cent imported coal blending for domestic thermal plants, the minister said, Coal India is successfully ramping up production but the blending is advised to «mitigate the risk of blackout due to sudden rise in electricity demand».
Earlier this month, the Nominated Authority of the Coal Ministry held a meeting to review the status of both operational and non-operational captive and commercial coal mines.
During the meeting, the authority stressed on the need for operationalising coal blocks that are in advanced stages of development. The department appreciated efforts of all allottees in increasing coal production and urged them to achieve the committed output targets for the 2024-25 financial
