The Ministry of Power is considering a proposal to mandate imported coal blending at thermal power plants as coal inventories decline across the country. The proposal is among the options being examined to address critically low stocks, although the ministry has not taken a decision on the measure.

Coal inventories at India’s thermal power stations fell to 22.9 mn t on September 19, according to data cited in the report. The available stock represented seven days of fuel cover and was equivalent to only 39 per cent of the normative inventory required at the plants.

The decline has affected a growing number of generating facilities. Of the 190 thermal plants monitored, 74 had critically depleted stockpiles, up from 51 in August, indicating a deterioration in fuel availability over the period.

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) classifies coal stocks at power plants as critical when inventories fall 25 per cent below the required level. Plants are also considered to have critical stocks when their available coal can support power generation for fewer than three days.

A senior power ministry official said the imported-coal proposal was being discussed as one possible response to the situation. The official also indicated that deliberations were continuing and that no final decision had been reached. Any mandate would therefore depend on the ministry’s further assessment of stock levels and supply conditions at thermal power stations.

The latest figures underscore the pressure on the domestic coal supply system, with the number of plants facing critically low inventories rising even as the government evaluates additional fuel options. Imported coal blending is being considered in the context of maintaining supplies for thermal generation, but the report does not specify a proposed blending proportion, implementation schedule or coverage of plants.