13 coal-powered units shut, but no cuts in Maharashtra for now

MUMBAI: Coal shortage has led to shutting of 13 units at seven of the thermal plants catering to state power utility firm MSEDCL, but its MD Vijay Singhal allayed fears, saying they “have prepared a plan to procure power from (the national) exchange and hydro sources and ensure there is no load shedding across the state for at least a fortnight”.

Singhal urged consumers “to use electricity sparingly during the peak consumption hours of 6am-10am and 6pm10pm to balance demand and supply”. “It will also help reduce the demand which is now 18000MW daily,” he said.

Besides around 17,000MW thermal power, hydropower and other sources help meet the daily demand. Thermal power generation has reduced to around 14,000MW.