A day after states ran rhetoric against the Center for lack of coal, the latter accused the former of selling power at a higher price on power exchanges while unplugging consumers. The Center, however, did not name the states which were alleged to have indulged in such profiteering.
In an office memorandum, the power ministry said, “As per the guidelines for allocation of power, 15 per cent of the power from Central Generating Stations (CGS) is kept under ‘unallocated power’, which is allocated by the Center to the needy states. Is.
“At present, the demand for coal-fired power plants has increased. It has been observed that some states are not supplying electricity to their consumers and are imposing load shedding in some areas. On the other hand, they are selling electricity in electricity exchanges at a higher price.
“In case of excess power, states are requested to inform so that this power can be reallocated to other needy states. If a state is found to be selling electricity in the electricity exchanges or is not scheduling this allocated power, their unconnected power can be temporarily reduced or withdrawn and re-allocated to other states, The ministry said.
Short supply by Delhi: NTPC
Also, the Center responded to the Delhi government’s allegations of NTPC not supplying electricity to Delhi, saying that NTPC and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) have been directed to secure power supply to the capital.
NTPC said that the data shows that Delhi discoms are scheduling less power than available.
“NTPC is providing the required power for Delhi. As the data shows (between October 1 and 11), Delhi discoms are scheduling only 70 per cent of the power provided by NTPC,” said a tweet posted by NTPC.
Management: Telangana
The states responded, saying they were largely managing on their own. Telangana said that if there is a power crisis in the state, it is because of the Centre’s efforts to “impose” the law on the states. “We don’t have a problem right now. We have sufficient reserves of coal as we are dependent on coal from Singareni Collieries,” said Telangana Energy Minister Jagadish Reddy.
Most of the power plants in the eastern region have a stock of 5-7 days.
improve the situation
According to Somesh Dasgupta, whole-time director of India Power Corporation Ltd, the high prices of imported coal discouraged players dependent on them from taking supplies. He also turned to domestic coal supplies. With this, the demand for electricity has increased in the last one month with the improvement in the demand in the domestic market. “The situation is improving now and in the next 15 days we are expecting it to improve further,” Dasgupta said. business Line.
Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut said that the state is not getting power from companies that have signed contracts with the Maharashtra government.
“Coal India has no stock and private players have stopped importing coal. There is power shortage but we will not allow the state to face blackout.
Raut said the state was facing a crisis due to shortage of coal and four of the 27 power generating units are currently closed.
Charge Unplugged
The power ministry has accused some states of selling electricity at high prices on power exchanges.
Telangana said if there is a power crisis, it is because of the Centre’s efforts to “enforce” the law on the states.
Maharashtra’s power minister said the state is not getting power from companies that have signed contracts with the government; crisis yes,
.