Coal Shortage: Despite Crisis, Maharashtra Govt Says There Will Be No Load Shedding In The State

Maharashtra Energy minister asserted that despite a plausible coal shortage, the government has made sure no load shedding will take place.

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New Delhi: Maharashtra Minister of Energy Nitin Raut has ensured that the state would not suffer from any power cuts due to the coal shortage.

He pointed out that Maharashtra's power demand fluctuates between 17,500 and 18,000 MW, which goes up to 22,000 MW in peak periods, and the state may fall short of 3500 to 4,000 MW of power.

"As a minister, I ensure that no power cuts would be caused due to coal shortage," said Maharashtra Minister of Energy Nitin Raut. The minister asserted that despite a plausible coal shortage, the Maharashtra government has made sure no load shedding will take place.

“Despite the coal crisis, we have tried to supply electricity to our citizens. Even after the deficiency of coal in the state, only four out of 27 power generation units are currently shut,” news agency ANI quoted Nitin Raut.

“As a minister, I can guarantee that there will be no load shedding due to the coal crisis,” he added.

"During the peak period at the end of September, power had to be purchased at Rs 20 per unit. We are now purchasing every unit between Rs 16 and Rs 17," he said.

"There are some companies who have entered into an agreement with us, but have sold it outside without our consent. We would be sending notices to such companies," Raut said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Tuesday reviewed the coal supply and power generation scenario as the government looks at ways to defuse the energy crisis being faced by several states.

According to sources close to news agency PTI, the Coal Ministry has been asked to ramp up the supply of coal while railways has been asked to make available rakes to transport the fuel to power plants. 

The shortage of coal - which makes up around 70 per cent of India's electricity mix - has forced rotational power cuts in states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Kerala and others.

To handle the crisis, the Union Power Ministry has issued instructions ranging from asking states not to sell power at high prices on the exchange to ordering state electricity generators to ensure adequate supplies.