BRS leader T. Harish Rao has sounded the alarm over a looming electricity crisis in Telangana, citing critical coal shortages and inadequate power generation.

Key Takeaways

  • BRS leader T. Harish Rao warns of a severe power crisis in Telangana due to mismanagement.
  • Coal reserves at major thermal plants like Kothagudem and Yadadri are estimated to last only 6-7 days.
  • Thermal power generation is operating at a mere 44% of its installed capacity.
  • The government is reportedly purchasing electricity from exchanges at high prices, increasing the fiscal burden.

HYDERABAD: In a scathing indictment of the ruling administration, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) deputy floor leader and former minister T. Harish Rao accused the Congress government of plunging Telangana into a severe energy crisis. Speaking at a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Thursday, Rao attributed the impending shortage to a fundamental lack of strategic planning and foresight, warning of statewide agitations if the agricultural sector's power supply is not stabilized.

Critical Coal Shortages and Plant Shutdowns

The crux of the crisis, according to Rao, lies in the dwindling coal stocks at vital thermal power stations. He alleged that the government ignored explicit warnings regarding the depletion of reserves. Currently, the Kothagudem, Kakatiya, Bhadradri, and Yadadri thermal power stations are reported to have coal supplies sufficient for only six to seven days. The situation has already begun to impact operations, with Units 1 and 4 of the Yadadri Thermal Power Station (YTPS) facing complete halts due to coal scarcity, while the Bhadradri Thermal Power Station (BTPS) remains offline due to maintenance issues.

The Efficiency Gap and Economic Impact

Highlighting a massive discrepancy in energy output, Rao noted that while the state's peak demand hovers around 15,000 MW, the thermal plants—despite having an installed capacity of 7,180 MW—are generating a mere 3,190 MW. This represents an alarming efficiency of only 44%. Furthermore, he questioned why the state, which possesses a total installed capacity of nearly 23,000 MW, is struggling to meet basic requirements. Rao also slammed the government for purchasing approximately 80 million units of electricity from power exchanges at exorbitant rates, a move he claimed is placing an undue financial burden on both industrial and domestic consumers.

Water Scarcity and Hydel Constraints

Beyond coal, the energy outlook is further clouded by low reservoir levels. Rao pointed out that current reservoir storage stands at 351 TMC against a total capacity of 1,059 TMC, significantly limiting the potential for hydel power generation. Additionally, he raised serious allegations regarding irregularities in coal supply from the Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), suggesting deeper systemic issues within the state's energy infrastructure.