Depleting coal inventory prompts warnings of energy crisis across 12 states

Depleting coal inventory has prompted warnings of an impending energy crisis in 12 states from public sector power engineers, according to CNBC-Tv18, as domestic power demand hit a 38 year high in the first fortnight of April.

All India Power Engineers Federation chairman Shailendra Dubey has urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the looming crisis.

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Power outages have been reported in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Haryana, among other states.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray will hold a meeting with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company on April 19 to discuss the crisis.

State energy minister Nitin Raut on April 15 warned of an energy crisis and blamed the Centre for poor management of coal supply.

Raut mentioned that a spike in activity across the state after the pandemic subsided has led to a surge in demand.

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PK Das, Chief Secretary, Power, Haryana, speaking to the news channel on the extent of the problem faced by the state and the present situation, said power supply rose by 15-20% in comparison to 2021. He also stated that power cuts imposed have been around 4%.

Das also said coal shortages are not to be blamed for the power challenges that the stage is facing.

"We are witnessing unprecedented heatwave condition. Compared to last year, we are supplying 15-20% more power. During the last fortnight, they have been geting a demand of about 8300 megawatt. Power cuts have been to the tune of 4% and according to the advice of power ministry the state is going for 10% of imported coal to meet their requirement, said PK Das.

And, Sabyasachi Majumdar, senior VP, ICRA, speaking on average power shortages, especially in the industry-dominated states, said on a gross basis there is a shortage of around 1.5%, adding 12 states have power shortages in the range of 3-4% and also mentioned that this time industry-consumers in about 8 states in southern and western parts of the country are also facing the shortage issue.

Speaking on the situation in Bihar, Union power minister RK Singh on April 15 said that the demand for electricity has increased nearly nine per cent and the supply of coal has not increased at the same pace.

Last month, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot met his Chhattisgarh counterpart Bhupesh Baghel and said that if the latter does not help there would be a blackout in the state.