The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has revised coal stocking norms at thermal power generation plants with an aim to prevent a repeat of the low coal stock situation at various plants in October.
Many states including Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were forced to impose load shedding in October as some thermal power plants ran out of coal leading to inadequate power supply. A sharp uptick in demand, a rise in the price of imported coal, and low coal procurement by power stations prior to the monsoon contributed to the low stock situation.
“Revised coal stocking norms have been mandated by CEA mandating the coal stock of 17 days at pit head stations and 26 days at non-pit head stations to be maintained by power plants from February to June every year,”
