No loss in power generation: Piyush Goyal

Higher demand for electricity and lower generation of hydel power have led to reduced coal stocks at power plants, but the government would ensure that there is no loss in power generation due to coal shortage, coal minister Piyush Goyal said. “You can’t add new transportation capacity immediately (for coal supply) and the rail and coal ministries are working in close coordination to meet demand,” Goyal  said, adding that time lines for time-bound execution have been set for 14 critical projects for evacuating coal. Thermal power plants generated 96,580 million units (MU), 4% more than the programme set for May, and 5.2% higher than last year. On the other hand, hydel plants produced 10% lower power than planned, reflecting a 14% drop from the previous year, due to inadequate rainfall and snow melting at a slower pace. As per the latest data available, as many as 25 power plants across the country have coal stocks for less than seven days. The Central Electricity Authority has not updated the daily fuel status data after May 31 on its website.