The power ministry has directed all imported coal-based thermal power plants to operate at full capacity amid the ongoing power crisis, which has seen power cuts across a number of states due to low coal stocks. The orders were issued under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, which empowers the government to —“under extraordinary circumstances” — ask power generation companies to maintain output in accordance with directions. High international coal prices have forced some thermal plants to halt operations as they cannot pass through high input costs to state power distribution companies under existing Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs).
