Now Reading: Karnataka targets higher coal stocks as power demand reaches 350 MU
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Karnataka targets higher coal stocks as power demand reaches 350 MU
KPCL is working to increase thermal power generation to 100 MU per day as the state's daily power demand ranges between 310 MU and 350 MU, compared to around 200 MU in…
The Story in Brief
KPCL is working to increase thermal power generation to 100 MU per day as the state's daily power demand ranges between 310 MU and 350 MU, compared to around 200 MU in August 2025. Hydropower alone cannot meet demand due to inadequate rainfall. KPCL aims to generate 29,500 MU of thermal power this year.
However, three thermal units are under maintenance, and wet coal from rains in other states is hampering transport. Coal stocks stand at about 6.5 lakh tonnes, sufficient for 15 days, with daily requirement of 44,000 tonnes. KPCL plans to boost stocks to 15-18 days. Coal India and the Railways have assured supply and rakes. A 800 MW unit at YTPS and a 210 MW unit at RTPS are expected to resume by end-August, raising available capacity to around 4,810 MW.
The Indian Opinion
The narrative that Karnataka can rely solely on hydropower ignores erratic rainfall, but framing this as a thermal-versus-renewable battle misses the point. The real test is infrastructure: coal supply chains disrupted by rain and maintenance backlogs. The state must urgently balance its energy mix while ensuring coal transport reliability. Watch whether the two units return on schedule and if coal stocks actually reach 18 days by September.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
