Load-shedding in Rajasthan as thermal power units shut down

JAIPUR: The discoms had announced load shedding from September 29 as power production in the state has been reduced drastically by 2700 mw due to severe shortage of coal.

The officials at Discoms said the station wise load shedding would continue for next one to two weeks till the power production is stabilised.

According to the Rajasthan Power Development Corporation, out of a total capacity of 1500 MW of power at Surajgarh thermal power station, only 725 MW of power is produced now while at Kota super critical thermal power station also only 590 MW of power is produced against the total capacity of 1240 MW.

Power production at Kali Sindhi thermal power plant is also cut down to 1050 MW as against 1200 MW. Similarly two units with a capacity of 1200 MW each of the Adani Power Rajasthan Ltd is totally shut down resulting in a shortfall of 2700Mw of power in the state at present.

Sources said due to the change in the weather pattern there is a shortfall from wind and solar power production while in order to make up the shortfall in the power from the power exchange is also unviable due to the high rate at which power is now being sold (Rs 7.15 per unit) necessitating load shedding.

The thermal power stations in the state are facing critically shortage of coal due to the rain and flood at the coal producing states like Jharkhand, according to sources.