Nearly 65,000 megawatts of power generation capacity is not being utilized due to shortage of coal, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) said.

According to data released by CEA, 47 thermal power stations had less than a week's supply of coal with them at the end of September. The apex power planning body categorised these plant as stations with "critical" coal stock position.

Released figures say that the total capacity which is lying vacant because of shortage of fuel stands at 64,925 megawatt. State-owned NTPC accounts for 15,860 MW of vacant capacity because of less receipt of coal from CIL.

NTPC's six power stations, viz. Rihand, Singrauli, Vindhyachal, Ramagundam, Simhadri and Talcher, are reeling under acute shortage of coal.

The bad condition of the aforementioned power plants is mainly because of less receipt from monolith CIL and its subsidiaries.

In terms of states, Tamil Nadu is facing a demand-supply gap of 4,000 megawatt, the widest gap in the southern region.

Much of this shortage is due to lack of money with the Coal India Ltd (CIL) required to open new mines. The second biggest reason behind shortage of coal is lack of environmental clearances as many coal mines are located in so-called "no go" areas.