India might meet another power crisis in July-Aug: CREA
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

India might meet another power crisis in July-Aug: CREA

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a lower pre-monsoon coal stock at thermal power plants in India might result in another power crisis in July-August.

The current coal stock is 13.5 million tonnes (mt) at pithead power stations and 20.7 mt at all power plants in India.

According to data, coal power plants cannot address even a minor spike in the power demand, and there is a need to plan for coal transportation in advance.

The Central Electricity Authority of India (CEA) has indicated a peak high power demand of 214 GW in August. Additionally, the average energy demand could increase more than in May to 1,33,426 million units.

CREA said that the onset of the southwest monsoon would also impact mining and transportation of coal from mines to power stations. If the coal stocks are not replenished to the adequate levels before the monsoon, the country might face another power crisis in July-August 2022.

It added that the recent power crisis was not due to coal production but distribution and official apathy. Coal transportation and management were not sufficient to handle the increased power demand. However, the trends show that thermal power stations were not sufficiently stocked despite adequate coal mining.

India witnessed 777.26 mt coal production in FY21-22 against 716.08 mt in FY21, with an increase of 8.54%.

An analyst at CREA, Sunil Dahiya, said that India had a total mineable capacity of over 1,500 mt in FY21-22, while the total production stood at 777.26 mt, about half of its production capacity. If there was a coal shortage in the country, coal companies had the option of increasing their production.

According to a report, coal stock at thermal power stations has been reducing since May 2020. The main reason for the power crisis last year was the inaction of power plant operators in sufficiently stocking up coal before the onset of the southwest monsoon. The monsoon floods in the coal mines hamper the production and transport to power stations.

Image Source

Also read: India’s electricity usage soars to 132.98 billion units despite energy crisis

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a lower pre-monsoon coal stock at thermal power plants in India might result in another power crisis in July-August. The current coal stock is 13.5 million tonnes (mt) at pithead power stations and 20.7 mt at all power plants in India. According to data, coal power plants cannot address even a minor spike in the power demand, and there is a need to plan for coal transportation in advance. The Central Electricity Authority of India (CEA) has indicated a peak high power demand of 214 GW in August. Additionally, the average energy demand could increase more than in May to 1,33,426 million units. CREA said that the onset of the southwest monsoon would also impact mining and transportation of coal from mines to power stations. If the coal stocks are not replenished to the adequate levels before the monsoon, the country might face another power crisis in July-August 2022. It added that the recent power crisis was not due to coal production but distribution and official apathy. Coal transportation and management were not sufficient to handle the increased power demand. However, the trends show that thermal power stations were not sufficiently stocked despite adequate coal mining. India witnessed 777.26 mt coal production in FY21-22 against 716.08 mt in FY21, with an increase of 8.54%. An analyst at CREA, Sunil Dahiya, said that India had a total mineable capacity of over 1,500 mt in FY21-22, while the total production stood at 777.26 mt, about half of its production capacity. If there was a coal shortage in the country, coal companies had the option of increasing their production. According to a report, coal stock at thermal power stations has been reducing since May 2020. The main reason for the power crisis last year was the inaction of power plant operators in sufficiently stocking up coal before the onset of the southwest monsoon. The monsoon floods in the coal mines hamper the production and transport to power stations. Image Source Also read: India’s electricity usage soars to 132.98 billion units despite energy crisis

Next Story
Technology

AirBrick Infra Sets Rs 1 billion Target, Expands to Dubai and Tier-II Cities

AirBrick Infra, one of India’s fastest-growing AI-led commercial interior design and build firms, has announced a sales order target of Rs 1 billion for FY 2025–26. The projection represents a 50 per cent growth over the previous fiscal year and reflects rising demand, increased repeat business, and the company's robust tech-first delivery model.  Now in its third year of operations, AirBrick continues its rapid scale-up, having successfully delivered over 70 projects spanning 3 lakh sq ft in FY 2023–24. FY 2024–25 witnessed the onboarding of several Fortune 500 clients, sett..

Next Story
Resources

Virtusa Foundation Powers Green Education Drive in Bengaluru

The Virtusa Foundation, CSR arm of digital engineering and technology leader Virtusa Corporation, has announced key infrastructure and mobility initiatives at the Ramakrishna Mission, Shivanahalli, Bengaluru. The launch marks the inauguration of a 16-room residential facility for lady teachers and the deployment of two solar-powered electric buses, underscoring Virtusa’s commitment to its core pillars of Education, Environment and Empowerment (3Es).  Located on the forest fringe near Bannerghatta National Park, the initiative supports tribal and underserved communities, complementi..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Godrej Enterprises Drives India’s Smart Green Logistics Shift

As India accelerates its transformation into a global manufacturing and logistics hub, Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) is taking the lead with its smart, sustainable intralogistics solutions. Through its Material Handling Equipment (MHE) and Storage Solutions businesses, GEG is redefining operational efficiency in modern warehouses and factories using IoT, automation, and AI. GEG has consistently maintained a 20–25 per cent market share in the intralogistics sector over the past three years. Today, over 37 per cent of GEG’s revenues come from its Good & Green portfolio, and its net..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?