The Thermal power production in Rajasthan hit due to coal shortage

Almost a week ago, headlines were made regarding the shortage of coal in India, the crisis compelled Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab and Rajasthan to highlight the issue of depleting coal reserves that could lead to a prolonged blackout across the country.

This situation had erupted because of waterlogging in coal mines following rainfall in the state of Chhattisgarh. According to the reports, the average demand at present (as on October 7) is 12,500 megawatt (MW), while the average availability is 8,500 MW. Moreover, against the requirement of about 11 rakes of coal per day, 7.50 racks are being received at present. Furthermore, the electricity from wind power plants is also less than the installed capacity.

A total of 166 rakes of coal were sent to Rajasthan in the last eight days to address the shortage of dry fuel at thermal power plants and the power situation is continuously improving in the state. From October 6 to October 15, around 65 rakes of coal were received from Coal India's subsidiaries NCL and SECL. Whereas 101 rakes of coal were dispatched from the state government company PKCL coal mines.

According to, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Subodh Agarwal, while there was no power cut anywhere in urban and rural areas of the state on October 8, another unit in Suratgarh had resumed its production. Further, the Additional Chief Secretary stated that amid a shortage of coal supply and power crisis in Rajasthan, the situation has continuously changed due to the efforts of the state government. Whereas it has been possible due to the high-level initiative and efforts of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The production at thermal units is being resumed on priority and in the last eight days, about 1,700 MW power generation was started in four units. The production has started in Suratgarh with a capacity of 250 MW, whereas 600 MW in Kalisindh Thermal, 195MW in Kota Thermal Power Station and 660 MW in Unit 6 at Suratgarh Power Station had begun earlier.

Some of the thermal power units are shut due to a lack of coal, while the remaining units are left with coal stock for one or two days due to the reduced supply of coal.