Power ministry asks coal companies to increase production to meet rising demand
Days after Power Minister RK Singh reviewed the coal stock position for thermal power plants, Secretary in the ministry Alok Kumar on Monday asked captive coal mine companies to increase their production by more than 85 per cent of their target for a week. given notice of Failure to do so will regulated the supply of dry fuel linkage.
During the meeting, the power secretary also said that all those states and distribution companies who buy power from imported coal based power plants have been given two weeks’ notice to meet their demand from these plants. If this requirement is not met, their coal supply will be regulated, states and distribution companies were told, private sources privy to the development said.
Further, in power plants which have coal stock of more than 10 days but where the plant load factor is less than 40 per cent, the supply of coal will be regulated to the extent of 100 per cent.
Also, the supply of coal to power plants which have dry fuel stock of more than 18 days will also be regulated to the extent of 100 per cent.
Earlier, Power Minister RK Singh had held a similar meeting on September 3, 2021 in view of the peak demand for power across the country and the inability of the plants to meet the requirement.
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