Ensure adequate coal reserves, supply uninterrupted power to industries: Jagan to officials

Amaravati: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the officials to maintain adequate coal reserves at thermal stations and ensure an uninterrupted power supply to industrial units.

Jagan was chairing a meeting to review Energy Sector and the current coal crisis in the country. "Ensure adequate coal reserves at thermal stations and run them at full capacity to meet demand," he told officials,

During the review, the Chief Minister ordered them to plan accordingly for providing uninterrupted power supply to industries. He asked officials to focus on better production from the Suliyari Coal Mines which is being operated by APMDC.

He said coal imports can be utilized at the Krishnapatnam plant, as it is close to the port and would help in reducing transportation costs, and ordered officials to consider innovative ideas like coal swapping.

Reviewing the Polavaram Power Project, the Chief Minister asked to finalize tenders by December. The officials explained that the construction of two units with a capacity of 115 MW at Lower Sileru will be completed by April 2024. "Power supply was resumed to all the houses in the flood-affected areas and the power to agricultural pumps will be given after water recedes", said an official.

Awareness to farmers

Officials were asked to explain to the farmers the benefits of meters in a bid to remove misconceptions. Farmers will be explained the pilot project in Srikakulam, where almost 33.75 million units of energy were saved. Farmers who have applied for agricultural connections will be soon given permission.

Meanwhile, the officials informed the Chief Minister that they have purchased power given the increasing demand. In March 2022, 1268.7 million units were purchased at Rs 1123.7 crore. In April 1047.8 million units were bought for Rs 1022.4 crore, followed by 739.72 million units in May at Rs 832.92 crore and 936.22 million units in June at Rs 745.75 crore.

So far in July, Rs 125.95 crore was spent on purchasing 180.96 million units. Unit-3 of the Krishnapatnam Power Plant will be operational from September this year, and the fifth stage of the Vijayawada Thermal plant will be available from February 2023.

No sufficient supply

It is observed during the review that the electricity demand is increasing every year. There is a lack of supply of sufficient coal, and the gap is increasing every year. Statistics reveal that in 2019-20, only 20.84 million metric tons of coal have been received against the agreement to supply 26.85 million metric tons.

In 2020-21, only 10.51 million metric tons were received for 25.38 million metric tons and even in 2021-22, only 18.12 million metric tons were supplied.