State power distribution companies have resorted to power cuts of between five and eight hours in some states, with electricity demand surging by up to 30% in the past few days as compared to the same time last year due to the heat wave in the plains of India, even as the government scrambles to ensure adequate coal supply for the thermal power plants, officials said.
Electricity demand is likely to increase in the coming week with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting severe heat wave till May 2, with the maximum temperature likely cross 45 degrees Celsius in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Maharashtra. On Tuesday, several places in India saw maximum temperatures in excess of 42 degrees Celsius.
Thermal power plants account for 70% of India’s power generation capacity of 3,99,496 MW and according to the power ministry’s website some are running below 30- 40% capacity on account of coal shortage. The power ministry has highlighted shortage of rakes (train coaches built to transport coal) to transport coal to power plants, leading to some states such as Uttar Pradesh transporting coal through trucks.
