Shortage of fuel –- both gas and coal –- was the only reason for the growing electricity scarcity in the country, particularly in the south, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairman A S Bakshi said here on Saturday.
"Coal shortage will continue for at least 3-4 years though we have adequate reserves. Domestic coal supply to power generating stations has increased by eight per cent this year, but still there will be a shortage of 45 million tonnes next year," Bakshi said at a press conference.
Saying that "capacity is not a constraint, fuel is", the CEA chairman said that 20,000 MW of additional power generation capacity was added this year.
While coal was already being imported for thermal plants, import of lNG and production of shale gas could be the options for gas-based power generating stations in the long term.