Great challenge to the government
Chennai: The coal shortage that started in China has also affected India. Coal reserves, especially for power generation in Tamil Nadu, are still only four or five days away. Without coal, without power generation, there is a risk of another power outage in Tamil Nadu.
Although power generation is done in a variety of ways, the main thing is that it is mainly generated by thermal power plants. In Tamil Nadu, 4320 MW power is being generated at 5 thermal power plants including North Chennai, Thoothukudi and Mettur. About 12 thousand megawatts (varying) of electricity required by the government for Tamil Nadu is available in various ways such as wind power generation, solar power generation, hydroelectric power generation, Kudankulam nuclear power plant generation and purchase of electricity in the open market.
Impact on China
In this situation, the demand for coal, which is the capital for thermal power generation, is strong in the international market. Due to this, there is a shortage of coal in India. China relies heavily on thermal power plants for electricity. Currently there is a severe power shortage due to the shortage of coal. The power outage is likely to continue until next year.
Decline in Tamil Nadu
Thus China is making various efforts to obtain coal from companies supplying coal internationally. Due to this, the demand for coal has increased sharply and its price has risen sharply.
The problem in China has affected various countries in the world and is currently affecting India as well. As a result, there is a shortage of coal in Tamil Nadu. It is said that there are only enough coal reserves for 4 or 5 more days in 5 thermal power plants in Tamil Nadu including North Chennai, Thoothukudi and Mettur.
Electricity Board
At present the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Vallur and Thoothukudi Thermal Power Stations have contracted with Coal India for coal supply. It is said that the supply of coal to Tamil Nadu has halved since September.
How much stock
While the Tamil Nadu thermal power plants require 60,265 tonnes of coal per day, the power utility is said to get only 36,255 tonnes. As of yesterday (Oct 8), there are 1.92 lakh tonnes of coal reserves. They say it can only be dealt with for a maximum of 4 days. Thoothukudi has only 2.6 days of coal reserves. It is said that it takes 3.4 days to keep the coal in Mettur and only 2.2 days in North Chennai. The total power generation of these five thermal power plants is 4320 MW.
Buys electricity
At present the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board buys 20 million units of electricity per day from the power exchange at a cost of 10 to 15 rupees per unit. At present the power generation at the Tamil Nadu Hydro Power Station has increased to 12 million units. The water level in the rivers has increased slightly. But while this is comforting, it is not enough.
Tamil Nadu government pressure
About 4320 MW of coal-fired power generation will be halved in Tamil Nadu. Thus there is a risk of power outage. Realizing this, the Tamil Nadu government continues to put pressure on the Central Coal Department for the demand for coal. But the situation is said to be a bit complicated.
AIADMK demand
Meanwhile, AIADMK co-ordinator and Deputy Leader of the Opposition O. Panneerselvam said in a statement yesterday that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister should focus on the issue and ensure that the Union Coal Minister supplies coal to Tamil Nadu.
Central government
The OBS also said that in order to find a permanent solution to the problem, the state of Odisha should put pressure on the central government to get the permission of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to extract coal from the Chandrapilani coal block and start development work there.
