Power ministry warns of shortage of coal

The power ministry has asked the MoEF to accord forest and environmental clearances to all pending coal projects given that these could jeopardise commissioning of plants that would add nearly 24,000 MW over the next two years. The problem of coal shortage will become acute in 2011-12 as state-run behemoth Coal India plans to supply only 331 mn tonne as against a requirement of 426 mn tonne. As coal will not be available, power plants either commissioned or to be commissioned in 2010-11 (6,911 MW), and plants to be commissioned in 2011-12 (10,070 MW) will not operate. Contact: Ministry of Power. Website: www.powermin.nic.in