Now Reading: 45 Indian power plants face critically low coal stocks amid monsoon disruption
-
01
45 Indian power plants face critically low coal stocks amid monsoon disruption
45 Indian power plants face critically low coal stocks amid monsoon disruption
Coal stocks at 45 Indian power plants are critically low, with supplies sufficient for less than three days of generation, government data showed. The number has risen from 31 at end-July, as…
Coal stocks at 45 Indian power plants are critically low, with supplies sufficient for less than three days of generation, government data showed. The number has risen from 31 at end-July, as monsoon rains disrupt mining and transport in coal states Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Overall coal inventories at power plants fell 19% to 30.95 million tonnes in August, enough for about 10 days against 12 in July, according to commodities consultancy BigMint.
The weaker monsoon, with 12% less rainfall than normal, has driven up electricity demand for air-conditioning, increasing reliance on coal-fired power. An NTPC official said coal supplies are running hand-to-mouth, with plants receiving half the required number of rakes. The power ministry has asked some coal-fired plants to delay planned maintenance until the supply situation improves.
Indian Opinion Analysis
This is the weakest monsoon since 2009, and the Central Electricity Authority tracks coal inventories daily. The 25% threshold triggers a formal alert to the power ministry, which can then direct Coal India Ltd to prioritise supplies by rail. The last comparable inventory crisis was in October 2022, when coal stocks fell to seven days of requirement, leading to power cuts in several states. With hydropower output already down because of low reservoir levels, a sustained supply shortfall could force load-shedding in states dependent on coal-fired plants that are now on maintenance hold. The ministry's next inventory data release, expected within days, will show whether the situation has stabilised or worsened.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
