Coal stock at thermal plants plummets, 'critical' at 50 units

Coal reserves at thermal power plants nationwide have dwindled to below half the recommended amount, with 50 facilities flagged as having critically low supplies as of September 2, according to data from the Central Electricity Authority. Together, these plants generate approximately 224 gigawatts of power, holding 28.2 million tonnes of coal reserves, which accounts for 48% of the required 58.7 million tonnes.

The current stock is sufficient to meet coal needs for about nine days at an 85% load factor, while the standard requirement is around 19 days. Plants deemed short on coal reserves possess less than a quarter of their standard inventories. Officials from the coal ministry stated that all critical plants are continuously monitored by an inter-ministerial team, and routine fuel deliveries are being made to them.

Out of the 50 plants, 45 utilize domestic fuel, four are designed for imported coal, and one operates on washery rejects. A coal ministry spokesperson clarified that classifying a thermal power plant as critical is a standard monitoring parameter set by the Central Electricity Authority, signifying heightened surveillance and priority measures.

However, the plants are not running out of supplies. Despite the standard coal requirement being 3.1 million tonnes per day at an 85% load factor, the actual requirement is closer to 2.4 million tonnes.

Monsoon-induced supply disruptions are a recurring issue each year, but the situation is expected to improve from September onwards as the monsoon recedes. While the power ministry has not commented on the matter, industry sources revealed that some coal-fired plants have been instructed to postpone planned maintenance to maintain uninterrupted electricity production.