 "Over 5,000 MW power shortage in North as coal stocks dry up")
The peak power shortfall -- deficit in electricity supply when demand is at its maximum -- was 5,572 MW at 2000 hours, last evening (August 27), according to latest report by Northern Region Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC).
The total electricity requirement of the region during that time was 50,173 MW of which 4,4601 MW was met.
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NRLDC is the apex body to ensure integrated operation of the power system in the northern region.
In a separate report dated August 26 by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), nearly one-fourth of the country's 100 thermal power projects were shown to have fuel stocks to last less than four days.
Actual electricity drawal by all the north Indian states exceeded the demand even then these states were unable to meet their electricity requirement during that period.
The off peak power demand in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Chandigarh, recorded at 0300 hours was 48,959 MW of which 45,173 MW was met, leaving the region with a shortage of 3,786 MW.
According to latest information on the website of NRLDC, high demand is prevailing in the northern region system due to reduced availability.
However, no comment from POSOCO (Power System Operation Corporation) -- that manages NRLDC -- was immediately available.
Of the 27 power projects which have less than four days of coal reserves, six are in the northern region. These six plants also include state-run NTPC's Indira Gandhi thermal power project at Jhajjar in Haryana, Rihand and Singruali plants in Uttar Pradesh, the CEA report said.
Singrauli has two days of stock where as Jhajjar and Rihand have only one day of stock left.