Assam’s electricity distributor has warned of “inevitable” outages and load-shedding in the state amid concerns over coal shortage in power plants across the country.
In a public message published in local newspapers, the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd or APDCL, which supplies power across the state aid power generation at thermal plants has “decreased considerably”.
“Due to limited coal availability, the generation of power from thermal generating stations has decreased considerably. The power position is clearly at critical level and power outages/load shedding may be inevitable. Kindly bear with us and use electricity judiciously. Energy saved is energy generated. Inconvenience cause is highly regretted,” APDCL said in the ad signed off by its Chief General Manager.
The message by the power distribution company in Assam comes amid concerns in several states of blackouts due to coal shortage in power stations. The central government has assured that India has ample coal stocks to meet the demand of its power plants, seeking to allay fears of imminent blackouts in Delhi and other cities.
Amit Shah met his cabinet colleagues in charge of the coal and power ministries. During the hour-long meeting, the three ministers were believed to have discussed the availability of coal to power plants and the current power demands.
Assam has a normal time requirement of 1,950 megawatt or MW, but during Durga Puja it goes up to 2,200 MW, so there is a shortfall of some 300 MW .
