MAHAGENCO’s thermal power generation plants will survive only for two weeks with the currently available 13 million metric tonnes of coal stock.

After shutdown of the Koyana hydropower project, the MAHAGENCO is largely dependent on the thermal power plants.

The daily power requirement of the state is nearly 22,000 megawatt.

Because of water scarcity, Koyana, which is the biggest hydropower project in the state, has stopped power generation after instructions from the Satara collector's office.

“To meet power generation demands, we will start the thermal power plants which have been shut down. This will cover the requirement of 1,500 megawatt power daily. We have enough coal stock at the thermal plants. We have 13 million metric tonnes coal at the thermal plants which is enough for the next two weeks,” said a top official from the energy department on condition of anonymity.

“After that, we will be able to start the hydro projects as the rains will start,” he added.

The MAHAGENCO will start the Koradi, Nashik, Parali and Bhusawal thermal power plants to bridge the energy deficit, which the MSEDCL is facing due to closure of the Koyana plant.

The said four thermal plants will generate 1,500 megawatt power per day. The Parali power plant will be started as and when water is available for the plant.

The Koradi, Nashik and Bhusawal power plants have a capacity of 210 megawatt.

These power plants were closed as power generation through these plants is quite expensive.