Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has spent almost Rs 340 Crore to buy electricity from the open market to bridge the supply of demand caused by coal shortages.
The Minister of Energy Nitin Raut on Tuesday said that the state faced electricity shortages of 3,500-4,000 MW, and blamed “mismanagement and lack of planning” in the Central PSU Coal India Ltd (CIL) for the situation.
At present, the state requires 17,500-18,000 megawatts of electricity, and with heat in October that soaring, their needs can rise to 20,000 MW.
Raut also said that at that time, there was no loadshedding in any part of the state, but senior officials said that the state-owned power plant had a maximum stock of two days, and the possibility of the government may have to enter loadshedding in several parts of the country if supply is unstable.
“We have bought electricity from the open market at exorbitant prices to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the state,” said Raut.
According to the Department of Energy, Rs 197 Crore was spent in September to buy electricity from the open market, while the power worth RS 140 Crore has been purchased this month.
The exercises blame the power of COS for 1K MW deficitofficials say that coal deficiency is a national problem and disorder has been associated with heavy rain in coal mining areas.
Raut said the efforts made by the government and Mahagenco managed by the government to increase production and increased coal supply.
But officials say the power supply for agricultural consumers has been reduced by several hours.
Raut said that because of the lack of coal, four of the 27 power production units in the country had been closed.
Three other units are in maintenance.
He also accused electricity companies did not supply power to Maharashtra despite having an agreement for this effect, thus creating a shortage of 1,000 MW.