Coal Stocks At 50 Thermal Power Plants Hit 'Critically Low' Levels Amid High Demand In Monsoon

Amid high monsoon demand, coal inventories at 50 thermal power plants across India have dropped to "critically low" levels. According to the Central Electricity Authority, current stocks as of September 2 are just half of the recommended threshold.

Reports said that these 50 plants have a combined capacity of 224 GW. Their total coal inventory was recorded at around 28.2 million tonnes, compared with the required level of 58.7 million tonnes. The data implies that the available stock is only 48 per cent of the prescribed requirement, the Times of India reported.

Remaining Stock To Provide Support For 9 Days

If the consumption rate remains the same, the remaining stock could provide support for around nine days of operations when plants run at an 85 per cent plant load factor. Under normal conditions, thermal power stations are expected to maintain inventories equivalent to nearly 19 days of usage.

Plants are classified as critically short of coal when their inventory falls below 25 per cent of the prescribed level. Among the 50 plants falling in this category, 45 rely on domestic coal, while the remaining five use imported coal. One plant operates on washery rejects.

Even as the inventories fall, the Coal Ministry stated that there is no immediate threat to power generation. Officials said plants with low stocks are being monitored on a daily basis by an inter-ministerial group, and additional supplies are being arranged wherever required.

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The critical classification is part of routine monitoring under CEA guidelines and does not imply that plants are running out of fuel. The official added that actual coal consumption is lower than the level assumed under CEA’s normative calculations.

The Rain Impact May Ease

During the monsoon season, coal supply disruptions are inevitable. Relentless rainfall affects mining operations and transportation networks. Officials expect supply conditions to improve as rainfall reduces in September.

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The pressure on coal stocks has led to some power plants delaying scheduled maintenance activities to ensure uninterrupted electricity generation amid sustained demand.

As authorities continue to monitor inventory levels closely, they expect coal supplies and improved logistics conditions to help rebuild stocks at thermal power plants. The government maintains that the current situation does not pose an immediate risk to electricity availability.