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Relevance: GS-III (Infrastructure & Environment) | Source: The Hindu
The News: The government claims we have plenty of coal, but the numbers tell a different story. Right now, nearly half of India’s power plants are running on fumes. What is causing this? A brutal combination of record-breaking heat, failing rains, and a massive, sudden spike in our need for electricity.
1. The “Three-Day” Red Alert
Even with all our new solar panels and wind turbines, the reality is that coal still produces about 80% of India’s electricity.
- The Danger Zone: The government officially hits the panic button (labeling a plant “critical”) when a power plant has less than three days’ worth of coal left to burn.
- A Massive Spike: By late 2026, 44% of our power plants hit this dangerous red zone. Why? Because our electricity demand shot up by 10% this year—the biggest jump in a whole decade.
2. The Hot Weather Problem
Why are we suddenly using so much power? Look at the weather. Climate change is trapping us in a vicious cycle.
- No Rain, No Dams: The El Niño weather pattern ruined our monsoon. Less rain meant our rivers and dams ran dangerously low, causing a huge drop in clean hydro-power.
- The AC Boom: At the exact same time, India suffered its hottest August in over a century. To survive the heatwave, millions of people turned on their ACs and fans all at once.
- The Result: With hydro-power failing and electricity demand breaking all records, the country had no choice but to burn through its coal backup at lightning speed just to keep the lights on.
Practice MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding India’s power sector and climate impacts:
- The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) defines a thermal plant’s coal stock as “critical” if it can support power generation for less than three days.
- During a strong El Niño year, increased rainfall across India typically boosts hydro-power generation, reducing the grid’s reliance on coal plants.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Hint: Statement 1 is correct; this is the official CEA threshold for critical stocks. Statement 2 is completely incorrect because El Niño actually ruins the Indian monsoon, causing dry spells that cripple hydro-power generation and force the grid to rely heavily on coal.
Hint: Statement 1 is correct; this is the official CEA threshold for critical stocks. Statement 2 is completely incorrect because El Niño actually ruins the Indian monsoon, causing dry spells that cripple hydro-power generation and force the grid to rely heavily on coal.
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