- Eight in ten power plants will run out of coal in a few days
- Power utilities issue warnings of impending blackouts
- Global coal prices surge
India faces a looming power crisis as its coal stocks have fallen to critically low levels. As a result, several states have begun issuing warnings of potential power blackouts. According to India’s Central Electricity Authority, nearly 80% of coal-fired power plants are in critical stages, with coal stocks expected to run out in less than five days.
India’s state-owned coal producer, Coal India Limited, has been accused of failing to stockpile enough coal to meet the predicted rise in energy demand. Sunil Dahiya, an Analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, said, ”The current crisis is not manifested by shortage of coal mining capacity, but instead it is caused due to improper foresight, planning and stocking of coal by power generators and energy regulator in the country,”
Pralhad Joshi, Indian Coal Minister, has blamed the high cost of international coal and heavy rains for disrupting coal mining. However, he added that the situation would be resolved in the coming days.