Is there a risk of another power crisis in the country soon? Yes, says the Center for Research on Energy and Clean air (KRIA). Kriya is an independent body that regularly reports on deficiencies in the power sector, power generation opportunities, transportation, etc. Kriya said in its latest report that the country has 1.35 crore tonnes of pithead power plants and 2.05 crore tonnes of coal reserves at all plants combined.

The company has clearly warned that the current coal reserves will not be able to withstand any increase in electricity demand. It therefore said that state governments should keep coal reserves beyond what is necessary in anticipation of the future.

According to their study, there is concern that another power crisis could erupt across the country in the coming July-August. Kriya estimates that the country will have the highest electricity demand of 214 gigawatts in August.

The real problem is the inability to supply the required coal to the plants even when the coal reserves are adequate and excavations are taking place. The real problem is that coal supply is not happening when mining is going on when there are coal reserves. Because coal mining will meet the demand.

Demand is calculated according to the indent from all the states. If the indents are in high demand and excavations are going on, where is all the excavated coal going without getting to the states according to the indents?



The country produced 71.6 crore tonnes of coal in 2020-21. 77.72 crore tonnes in 2021-22. Of the 150 tonnes of coal available for mining across the country in 2021-22, only half of this has been mined. Coal reserves near all plants have been declining since May 2020. Coal reserves should normally be kept close enough for 21 days for each plant to generate electricity. Looking at the latest report on Mari Kriya it seems that another crisis is inevitable.