Power plants face coal stock shortage due to low supply, high demand

04 Oct 2021 CW Team

According to an official statement, a sharp increase in power demand and low supply of coal due to the monsoon has pushed the overall coal stock at India's thermal power plants to 8.1 mt or 4 days of stock on 1st October from 24 mt of a 13-day supply in August.

The thermal power generation plants of 6,960 MW capacity are currently facing a shortage of coal supply. Of the total 135 power plants, 72 have stocks left below three days, as compared to the recommended inventory of 14 days.

The Ministry of Power said that the increase in coal demand and shortage during the monsoon and less stock build-up in April-June had caused the depletion of coal stocks in power plants.

This year the power consumption in August-September has increased to 124.2 billion units per month from 106.6 billion units in the same period in 2019.

According to a release, heavy rainfall in the coal mines zone in September has affected the production and despatch of coal.

The power plants have supplied a disproportionate part of the increased demand with the share of coal-based power generation, increased to 66.4% from 61.9%.

Power plants have also reduced coal imports because of high international prices. In March, the imported price from Indonesia increased nearly to $200 per tonne from $60 per tonne.

Image Source

Also read: Coal India Limited to increase coal supplies to meet rising demands

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..