The power situation has worsened as generation at state-run utility NTPCas several plants across the country has been hit because of recent heavy rains in coal producing areas in eastern and central parts of the country and disruption of coal supplies due to continuing blockade in Andhra Pradeshas Telengana region.

NTPC is the biggest power generator in the country and accounts for 34,000mw. It has been recognized as the number one utility in the world in terms of utilizing capacity but is now producing some 4,000 mw less due to fuel shortage. The companyas power stations at Dadri in the National Capital Region, Singrauli and Unchahar in the northern region, Vindhyachal in Madhya Pradesh, Farakka and Kahalgaon in the eastern region and Ramagundam and Simhadari in the south have been affected due to shortage of coal. The Badarpur plant in Delhi is generating less because of shortage of water due to temporary closure of the Agra canal. Water is used in cooling towers of power plants. Together, these plants account for nearly 14,000 mw.

Frequent bandhs in the Central Coalfieldsa area, a two-day strike by Coal India employees and continued strike at Singareni Coalfields as part of the Telangana agitation from September 13-20 have aggravated the situation. During the last one month, supply from Singareni Coalfields was less than 34%. Besides, mining and loading of coal have been affected at Coal India subsidiaries a" Northern Coalfields, Central Coalfields, Eastern Coalfields and Mahanadi Coalfielfds. These mines account for almost 70% of NTPCas coal supply contracts.

Before the onset of monsoon, NTPC had a coal stock of 5.3 million tonnes, good enough for 13 days. This has depleted to critical levels a" an average of 3-4 days a" in the absence of normal replenishment, forcing NTPC to switch off some units at each affected plant to avoid running them dry and damage to equipment. Coal supply and transportation of the fuel have been identified as the bugbear of the countryas power sector at every meeting on energy and industry held over the last 2-3 years in various levels of the government.

Since not much has been done to rectify the situation, the recent rains and strike by Coal India Ltd workers have complicated the situation.

Some 35 of Indiaas 86 thermal stations have a coal stock position that will barely last seven days. Stocks at 26 of these plants are just enough to generate for the next four days, according to the Central Electricity Authority. The installed capacity of these 86 thermal power stations is 85,477 mw.