Coal India to double coal production to one billion tonnes by 2019 to achieve target
Union power and coal minister Piyush Goyal
New Delhi: Promising to unleash next wave of reforms in the energy sector, Union power and coal minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday that the government is targeting 24x7 power for all homes in next five years. To achieve this, he said Coal India will double coal production to one billion tonnes by 2019 from current levels of 500 million tonnes and there will also be enhanced thrust on renewable energy.
Presenting 100 days report card of his ministries, he said there are 263 issues which are being monitored in the three ministries to achieve the goal of giving round the clock electricity.On concerns that power plants have low stocks of coal, the minister said that due to less rainfall and subsequent fall in hydro-power generation, coal based thermal plants produced 21.50 per cent more power between June to August 2014 so that people don’t face problem.
“The fact that the coal production has not increased is a reality which I have inherited and I can’t increase coal production in 100 days to the extent required. You will appreciate that when you produce 21.5 per cent more power, whereas your (coal) supply has gone by only 5 or 6 per cent, then stocks are bound to fall because you have used your stock fast that is the situation,” he said.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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