Power Crisis in India: People are facing power cuts in many states of the country. This is happening due to scorching heat and a shortage of coal.
According to the news sources, the states are struggling to meet the huge demand amid low production at power plants.
From Jammu and Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh, consumers are facing power cuts ranging from two hours to eight hours. Factories are most affected by power cuts.
After the record heat in March in the country, the scorching heat continues in April as well. In such a situation, the electricity demand has reached the highest level ever.
Total power outage
According to the news, the total power crisis in the country has reached 623 million units. This figure is more than the total power shortage in March.
At the heart of this crisis is the shortage of coal. Coal produces 70 per cent of the electricity in the country. The government is claiming that there is enough coal available to meet the demand, but coal reserves in power plants are at their lowest in nine years.
Also Read: Coal Crisis in 12 States: Maharashtra, Gujarat including 10 other states 'Blackout' with electricity
Apart from this, due to the Ukraine-Russia war, there has been a decline in coal imports along with an increase in the international energy price.
Thermal plants facing coal shortage
The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) said that thermal plants across the country are facing a coal shortage, which is a sign of a power crisis in the country.
The maximum power demand in the country on April 27 stood at 200.65 GW, while the peak power deficit was 10.29 GW. The latest data showed that coal reserves in 147 plants monitored by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) were 25 per cent of the norm as of April 26.
3,000 MW power shortfall in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, faces a power deficit of 3,000 MW. The supply is only 20,000 MW against the demand of about 23,000 MW.
In such a situation, power cuts are being done in rural areas and small towns. The Kashmir Valley is facing its worst power crisis. Here the prolonged cuts in the holy month of Ramzan have irked people.
Impact of 750 MW shortfall from the central grid
Electricity department officials said that in April the supply was around 900 to 1100 MW, while the demand was 1,600 MW. In Tamil Nadu, the state government said that the shortage of 750 MW from the central grid resulted in power cuts in some parts of the state.
Andhra Pradesh is facing a shortage of about five crore units of electricity as compared to the demand. Farmers stop vehicular movement in Punjab's Hoshiarpur to protest against irregular power supply.
This state is also troubled by power cuts
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren admitted that the state was not able to meet the demand and provided additional funds to buy power from the market.
The Odisha government claimed that by the end of April, the power crisis in the state would end. A large population in the state has complained of power cuts amid summer.
In Bihar and Uttarakhand also, there are frequent power cuts in rural and urban areas. The demand for electricity in Rajasthan has increased by 31 per cent, due to which electricity is being cut for five to seven hours every day.