Power plants have coal for 19 days, 30 percent more than last year:Just in the month of May, the record consumption of electricity has reached 2.50 lakh megawatts. However, the monsoon has arrived and this is likely to reduce the demand for electricity. Also, it must be kept in mind that the supply of coal is also affected during the monsoon. The Coal Ministry has said that every effort has been made to increase the supply of coal in the month of May.

New Delhi. Thermal power plants have to work continuously amidst the severe heat across the country. In such a situation, a good news has come that these power plants currently have 45 lakh tonnes of coal which is sufficient for their needs for 19 days. This coal stock is 30 percent more than last year. Last year, the maximum consumption of electricity in the country was 2.46 lakh megawatt.

Power consumption is expected to decrease

But this demand was seen in September 2023. Just in the month of May, the record consumption of electricity has reached 2.50 lakh MW. However, the monsoon has arrived and the demand for electricity is also likely to decrease. Also, it has to be kept in mind that the supply of coal is also affected during the monsoon.

The Ministry of Coal has said that every effort has been made to increase the supply of coal in the month of May. In such a situation, despite the increase in the demand for electricity, the average stock of coal has decreased by only 10 thousand tonnes per day.

Coal production increased by 8 percent

To monitor the supply of coal to power plants and remove the obstacles in its way, a committee has been formed comprising officials from the Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Railways and power plants. Due to the coordination between them, coal production this year has increased by 8 percent compared to last year.

Coal mines currently have a stock of 10 crore tonnes which is ready to be supplied to the plants. The Railway Ministry has provided nine percent more railway racks this year. The government is also preparing to increase the coal supply during the monsoon. The effort is to ensure that 42 lakh tonnes of coal is available to the power plants by July 01, 2024.