New Delhi, April 28 (Bureau) India’s peak power demand has increased to more than 204 GW in the month of April as compared to 182 GW of last year, registering a 12.1 per cent increase, amid soaring temperatures. According to the data shared by the Ministry of Power, during the current month up to April 28, the peak demand met had increased by 12.1 per cent to 204.653 GW from 182.559 GW during the same period of previous year.
India’s current installed capacity is around 399 GW, out of which nearly 60000 MW of capacity is shut due to various reasons. Of this, nearly 16000 MW of capacity is operating on imported coal. “Since the prices of imported coal are soaring and touching the sky, breaching USD 200 per tonne mark, power generation from these stations is practically nil,” All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) Chairman Shailendra Dubey said. The normative coal stock, which refers to the amount of coal needed to run a power plant at 85 per cent PLF or capacity for 26 days, is also at a critical level as coal stock in most of the states is depleting very soon. “Coal inventories at power plants are tight, at 9 days of stock on average, which is higher than the low levels of 4 days reached in October 2021 but less than half of the 17 days normally held at this time (mid-April). Out of 173 thermal plants, around 100 hold less than 25 percent of normal coal inventory. This shortage of coal, high demand of power and high prices are benefiting the power companies stock prices,” Ravi Singh, vice President and head of Research, ShareIndia said.