- 6 of India’s coal plants, which account for of 15% of India’s total energy capacity from coal-fired plants are running on critical supplies, unable to handle even the smallest disruption in supplies as they have fuel stocks for only 2 days.
- Come monsoons, replenishing coal stocks will get affecting thereby adversely affecting the total power generation. Accordingly the Govt:
- Has promised corrective action to improve coal supply besides the efforts of Coal India Ltd. to raise production beyond current year’s targets.
- Is monitoring coal supply closely.
- Is increasing the coal crushing capacity.
- Is increasing the number of washeries in the mining areas.
- Has appealed to the Environment Ministry to allow mining of additional fuel wherever necessary.
- The govt is looking at hiking power generation during the XII Plan with a proposed target of 88,537 MW from conventional sources and 30,000 MW from renewable energy sources.
- Read at:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/steps-under-way-to-improve-coal-supply/article6222766.ece