India has increased coal supply to its power plants to the highest historical level in order to combat the energy crisis. According to a senior official from the Ministry of Energy in New Delhi, coal-fired power plants are currently receiving 2.6 million tons of coal daily, a record figure.
Coal Reserves Situation in India
This news comes as reports indicate that 96 coal-fired power plants in India have coal reserves for only the next three days. This level of storage is considered critical, and the number of plants in such a situation has increased from 60 plants in mid-September. The reduction in coal reserves occurs as electricity demand has risen due to decreased production from other sources, particularly hydroelectric plants, due to low rainfall.
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Consequences of Climate Change and Electricity Demand
Earlier this year, a climate center warned that the El Niño phenomenon could significantly increase coal demand in India. El Niño typically affects wind and rainfall patterns, impacting wind and hydro energy production. Although wind energy does not have a large share in India's energy mix, hydro energy production plays a significant role in electricity supply. Additionally, increased industrial production also exacerbates the electricity supply crunch, with reports indicating that the state of Gujarat has asked factories to reduce their electricity consumption during nighttime to prevent potential blackouts.
In response to the reduction in coal reserves last month, the Ministry of Coal in India announced that domestic coal companies are increasing supply to coal-fired power plants. However, these efforts seem insufficient to balance demand and supply. Daily electricity demand in the country has significantly increased this year, reaching 45 to 50 gigawatts above last year's levels.
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