Anticipating at least two more surges in peak power demand across the country due to raging temperatures, the power ministry is planning to push for coal imports and will also ask generation companies (gencos) to use roadways for coal transport as well, said a senior official of the ministry familiar with the matter.
In another step to increase electricity generation, the ministry is also planning to activate non-operational coal fired plants to fill the energy shortfall, the official said.
“Analysing previous year’s data and in view of the predictions of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), we are projecting the power demand to peak again maximum twice — in July when temperatures rise again and in September, when humidity increases due to the monsoons. However, it will totally depend on the weather conditions, so we can just make projections,” said the official, asking not to be named.
