Chennai: A global crisis that has triggered a shortage of coal in India may have its impact on Tamilnadu too. For, TANGEDCO’s five thermal power stations at North Chennai, Tuticorin and Mettur have an average of just four days of coal stock left with them.
Sources said TANGEDCO is in touch with the Union Power Ministry and Coal India Limited (CIL) to ensure supply of the fuel.
Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji said, ‘we are taking all necessary measures to make sure that there is no power crisis.’
There has been a shortage in the coal supply since the last week of September in Tamilnadu and TANGEDCO’s power stations are reeling under shortage of coal, the raw material for power generation in the thermal sector.
While the total generation capacity of TANGEDCO thermal units is 4,320MW, the coal requirement is 62,000 tonnes a day.
The state’s hydropower generation has increased to 12 million units on Wednesday and renewable energy sources are also being tapped to generate power.
Meanwhile, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam has urged Chief Minister M K Stalin to speak to Union Minister of Coal and ensure sufficient supply of coal to thermal power stations.