45 Indian coal power plants have critical low fuel, government data shows

Forty five Indian coal power plants are currently operating with critically low coal inventories, according to government data as of August 25, 2023. This figure has increased from 31 plants at the end of July, as monsoon rains have disrupted coal supplies and electricity demand has surged due to unusually hot weather caused by El Nino. Of the affected plants, 40 are domestic coal-fired power plants, as reported by the Central Electricity Authority, a government-linked think tank.

Heavy rainfall in coal-rich states such as Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh has hampered coal mining and transportation, slowing the delivery of fuel to power plants. According to commodities consultancy BigMint, coal stocks at power plants have dropped by 19% from end-July levels, standing at 30.95 million tons, or enough to last about 10 days of operation. This is down from 12 million tons in July.

The situation comes as India anticipates unprecedented coal power demand during the summer, despite receiving 12% less rainfall than usual this monsoon season. The uneven rainfall pattern driven by El Nino has led to higher electricity demand, particularly for air-conditioning. This has put a strain on coal supplies, with some plants requiring five to six additional rakes of coal, but only receiving half that amount, according to an official from India's largest thermal power producer, NTPC.

The power ministry has requested some coal-fired power plants to delay planned maintenance until the supply situation becomes clearer, as they are operating with coal stocks equivalent to only three days of power generation.