Growth in coal-based electricity generation in India in August due to a reduction in output from alternate energy sources has resulted in lower coal stocks at thermal power stations, the coal ministry said Wednesday.
Coal-based generation in August was up 17% year on year, amid a 12% reduction in hydro power, a 36% fall in nuclear power generation and a 7% decline from other sources, the coal ministry said in a statement.
As of Tuesday, more than 60 of the 112 thermal power plants monitored by the Central Electricity Authority had coal stocks for less than a week, according to CEA data.
At the same time last year, there were only seven plants with coal stocks to support power generation for less than a week.
To tackle the current shortage, the ministry has asked state-run Coal India Limited to increase number of rakes for coal loading to 250 rakes/day, of which 225 rakes/day will supply coal to the power sector.
Currently, Coal India is able to manage an average loading of 208 rakes/day. One rake carries around 3,800 mt of coal.
The ministry has also directed Coal India to set up a control room to monitor coal supply round the clock.
