India increases coal rail supplies as 58 power plants face low inventories
Heavy rainfall has disrupted mining and transportation in key coal-producing states, adding pressure on fuel supplies to electricity generators
India is ramping up coal shipments via rail to power plants as fuel inventories at numerous generators have dwindled to dangerously low levels, according to the coal ministry. As of September 5, a record 58 power plants held less than 25% of their required coal inventories, a sharp increase from 46 plants at the end of August. Of the affected plants, 53 are domestic coal-fired facilities, according to data from the Central Electricity Authority.
The coal ministry is closely monitoring the situation, with corrective measures already in place to alleviate the supply constraints at these critical thermal plants. Coal India, the world's largest coal miner, reported that it still possesses a sufficient stock of 76 million tons of coal at its pitheads.
A surge in coal dispatches from state-owned Coal India, its subsidiaries, and private mines has helped boost supplies, with loading increasing daily since September 3. On September 6, coal loading to power plants reached 444 unit trains or rakes, up from 370 on September 3. However, heavy rainfall in key coal-rich states such as Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh has disrupted mining operations and slowed transportation of the fuel, impacting power plants.
Given that coal accounts for approximately three-quarters of India's electricity generation, uninterrupted fuel supplies are crucial for maintaining grid reliability.
Written by urgent.news from Hindu BusinessLine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
