Coal supply to thermal plants is increasing in tandem with increase in demand for power

Maharashtra is receiving more coal at present than in March this year, the Ministry of Coal said on Sunday.

Responding to a news report appearing in a section of the media, the ministry stated, "As of now, the State is meeting their coal requirement".

The news report had quoted Maharashtra Power Minister Nitin Raut as saying that that the state was experiencing loadshedding due to shortage of coal and an increase in demand. The minister was also reported to have accused the central government of mismanagement in the supply of coal.

The coal ministry, however, released data to clarify the situation and stated that coal supply to thermal plants was increasing in tandem with increase in the demand for power.

As per the statistics of the Ministry, in March 2022, coal supply to power plants of Maharashtra was 2.14 lakh ton per day. The same been stepped up to 2.76 lakh ton per day this month/April, till 11.04.2022.

According to the ministry, Mahagenco has been supplied 37.131 MT coal in 2021-22. The daily coal supply to Mahagenco in March 2022 was 0.96 lakh ton per day which has been increased further to 1.32 lakh ton per day in April (till 11.04.22).

"It is equally pertinent that the coal requirement of Maharashtra is being met despite Mahagenco having outstanding dues of nearly Rs.2390 crore," the coal ministry pointed out.

Thermal Power Plants (TPP) of Maharashtra were supplied with 70.77 Million Ton (MT) of coal during the financial year 2021-22, the ministry noted.

On Wednesday, Union Power Minister RK Singh had reviewed the operation of imported coal based plants and import of coal for blending by the states.

"Keeping in view the rapidly increasing demand for power, it was recommended that all Gencos should endeavor to import coal for blending upto ten percent," the power ministry had said after the meeting.

State wise and Genco wise targets were fixed and it was urged to ensure delivery of coal for blending purpose before onset of monsoon as domestic coal supply gets affected during rainy season, the ministry had pointed out.