The Delhi government on Thursday said coal in two of the five stations it sources power from would last only about one or two days and requested the Central government to provide them with enough stock.
The government’s appeal to the Centre came on a day when the Capital’s power demand crossed the 6,000 megawatts (MW) per day mark for the first time in the month of April. Delhi’s average peak power demand over the last three years is 4,500MW per day, officials said.
Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain said that the growing power crisis amid coal shortages could lead to power cuts in important establishments in the national capital, such as Metro trains and hospitals.
Jain wrote to the Centre, requesting it to ensure adequate coal availability to power plants that supply electricity to the national capital. He also held a meeting with department officials to assess the situation.
“Due to disruption of power supply from Dadri-II and Unchahar power stations, there may be a problem in 24-hour power supply to many essential institutions, including Delhi Metro and Delhi government hospitals,” a government statement read.
Presently, 25-30 per cent of the electricity demand in Delhi is being met through these power stations, and they face a shortage of coal, Jain said.
While coal crisis is threatening to impact power supply, Delhi and many other states are facing severe heatwave conditions. The Met department has said the mercury can rise to up to 46-degree Celsius in Delhi.
In the middle of such severe heat, if the power supply is disrupted in Delhi, it will further alleviate the problems of the people.
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