Extreme fuel shortages at thermal power stations in Punjab have tried to force power utility PSPCL to reduce power generation and implement rotational load shedding in several locations, prompting the state government to criticise the Centre for insufficient coal supply. Energy power stations are operating at reduced capacity due to a lack of coal, according to a Punjab State Power Corporation Limited official on Saturday.
With the state’s power situation deteriorating, power plants in the state have coal stocks of up to five days, according to a Punjab State Power Corporation Limited official.
“Plants are operating at a limited level,” the official explained, trying to add that they were not operating at full capacity in order to conserve coal.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi lashed out towards the Center located on Saturday, warning of an impending shutdown of the state’s thermal power plants due to rapidly depleting coal supplies in the coming days.
He claimed that despite agreements with various subsidiaries of Coal India Ltd, Punjab was not receiving adequate coal supply and urged the central government to instantly assure people the state’s quote of coal to tide over the power crisis.
Currently, the state’s power demand is around 9,000 MW.
Officials say that, in addition to the agricultural sector’s demand for power, the state’s power needs are being exacerbated by high air temperatures.
Despite PSPCL officials’ claims of minimal load shedding, there were reports of power outages lasting 2 to 3 hours in many parts of the state.
In a review of the state’s power situation amid a coal supply shortage, the Chief Minister stated that all power stations are unable to generate power at maximum capacity due to inadequate coal receipt.
He did, moreover, reaffirm his government’s firm commitment to delivering authority for irrigated agriculture of paddy crop where needed at the tail end of crop production.
As per Central Electricity Authority regulations, power stations situated more than 1,000 kilometres from such a coal mine should also have a required fuel supplies of up to 30 days, but this level of stock is not preserved by the state’s power plants.
As per the official, power plants received some coal supply on Friday to run their operations.
As a result of lower power generation, the PSPCL is purchasing power through the transmission network, but it costs more than ten cents per unit, which is really expensive, according to the official.
Mr Venu Prasad stated that he has written to the Centre in order to increase the state’s coal supply.
