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Nearly half of the thermal power plants in the country, including over 20,000 MW capacity stations of state-run NTPC, are reeling under coal shortage with stocks to last less than a week, an official data said.
According to latest CEA (Central Electricity Authority) data (July 15), 46 coal-based generating stations, of the total list of 100, reported fuel stock for less than 7 days.
NTPC, the country's largest power producer and also the biggest consumer of domestic coal, is the worst sufferer as 8 of its total 23 electricity generating stations have stock to last mere two days, the official data said.
These eight power projects -- Jhajjar (1,500 MW), Rihand (3,000 MW), Singrauli (2,000 MW), Korba (2,600 MW), Sipat (2,980 MW), Vindhyachal (4,260 MW), Simhadri (2,000 MW) and Ramagundam (2,600 MW) -- comprise 20,940 MW of its total 43,128 MW capacity of NTPC.
According to the data, these plants are mainly affected due to lesser supplies by Coal India. The public sector firm and its subsidiaries are supplying lesser fuel to the power utility plants than the annual contracted quantity (ACQ).
As per reports, NTPC has also urged the Ministry of Power to take cognizance of the matter which is of grave concern due to acute power cuts across Northern and Central India amid rising mercury levels.
India reported a peak power deficit -- shortfall in electricity supply when the demand is at its highest -- of 3.7 per cent last month.
The total power demand during the month stood at 1,42,647 MW of which 1,37,352 MW was met, leaving a gap of 5,295 MW.
