Officials Blame Coal Shortage, Less Rainfall For Electricity Shortage
Srinagar- The power crises in Kashmir could worsen in coming weeks if the coal shortage persists throughout the country, officials from Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) said on Thursday.
Pertinently, the Valley is facing unscheduled power cuts during Ramazan, particularly at Sehri and Iftar time, leaving the consumers fuming.
Talking to Kashmir Observer, an official said that the people should brace-up for more power curtailments, if the present crises find no solution.
“But I am hopeful, the Central Government might be looking for options as the present crisis has gripped the whole country,” the official, who insisted not to be named, told Kashmir Observer.
Chief Engineer, KPDCL, Javid Yusuf Dar told Kashmir Observer that there is coal shortage across the country which has led to power crises.
The reason for the shortage of coal, according to the government, is the high prices of global coal due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict and low imports.
Dar, however, told Kashmir Observer that the less rainfall is also the reason for power shortage in the UT.
“There is a 70 percent rain deficit. Also, the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project supplies around 450 MW and we get the supply from other projects which sums up to 900 MW’s but the demand is 1500 MW’s in the valley,” he said.
Dar further said that with more rainfall, the water in Chenab might rise and the department can provide more power supply.
He said the demand supply during Sehri and Iftar time is 1500 MW’s but the department is only able to produce 1100 MW’s.
However, sources from KPDCL told Kashmir Observer that National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) is facing rising demand forcing KPDCL to resort to load shedding.
“Every 15 minutes we are being asked to reduce the load because of the low frequency. We are bound to follow the orders,” they said.
NLDC is entrusted with the responsibilities to oversee voltage and frequency.
If the states/UT’s doesn’t follow the orders, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) can impose heavy penalties for violation of the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) provisions which require the constituents (State Utilities) to undertake manual load shedding for curtailing the overdrawn whenever the grid frequency goes below 49 hz.
Earlier, the government had directed the KPDCL to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the people at Sehri and Iftari hours in the Valley. The regional political parties have cornered the LG administration for failing to provide the adequate power supply during the holy month of Ramazan.
Earlier, the central government said that over 12 states are facing electricity issues due to shortage of coal and the government is working to mitigate the shortfall.
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