+
Coal Stocks Shrink As Power Demand Surges
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Coal Stocks Shrink As Power Demand Surges

Coal stocks at India's thermal power plants have fallen as high electricity demand coincides with reduced hydroelectric and wind generation after an El Niño-induced weaker monsoon, according to data from the National Power Portal. The diminished generation and monsoon-driven production and transport disruptions have cut inventories and tightened supply ahead of peak summer demand.

As of 20 July power plants held about 40.7 million tonnes (mn t) of coal, sufficient for about 13 days of operations after peak demand neared 270 gigawatts (GW) on 17 July. That level compares with roughly 53 million tonnes (mn t) in May when stocks lasted about 19 days and demand hit a record 270.8 GW. The contraction in coal inventories has narrowed the buffer available to grid managers amid heightened consumption.

The energy shortage worsened in mid July, reaching 23 million units (mn units) on 19 July even though demand eased to 250 GW by 21 July. Analysts and grid data show typical shortages are in single-digit million units, and an earlier report in May recorded a shortfall of 15 million units. States including Punjab, Haryana and Goa have been among the worst affected, according to the Grid Controller of India.

The tightening has led to instances of load shedding and targeted power cuts in some regions as system operators balance fuel supply with demand. Authorities are monitoring coal movement and generation mixes across thermal, hydroelectric and wind assets to restore inventories and stabilise supply.

Grid managers have adjusted unit commitments and increased utilisation of available domestic coal stocks while arranging rail and road logistics to expedite deliveries. Thermal stations are synchronising schedules with hydroelectric output variations to reduce peak stress, and regulators are coordinating with distribution companies to manage demand and prioritise critical infrastructure. Supply depends on rail and road movements this season.

Coal stocks at India's thermal power plants have fallen as high electricity demand coincides with reduced hydroelectric and wind generation after an El Niño-induced weaker monsoon, according to data from the National Power Portal. The diminished generation and monsoon-driven production and transport disruptions have cut inventories and tightened supply ahead of peak summer demand. As of 20 July power plants held about 40.7 million tonnes (mn t) of coal, sufficient for about 13 days of operations after peak demand neared 270 gigawatts (GW) on 17 July. That level compares with roughly 53 million tonnes (mn t) in May when stocks lasted about 19 days and demand hit a record 270.8 GW. The contraction in coal inventories has narrowed the buffer available to grid managers amid heightened consumption. The energy shortage worsened in mid July, reaching 23 million units (mn units) on 19 July even though demand eased to 250 GW by 21 July. Analysts and grid data show typical shortages are in single-digit million units, and an earlier report in May recorded a shortfall of 15 million units. States including Punjab, Haryana and Goa have been among the worst affected, according to the Grid Controller of India. The tightening has led to instances of load shedding and targeted power cuts in some regions as system operators balance fuel supply with demand. Authorities are monitoring coal movement and generation mixes across thermal, hydroelectric and wind assets to restore inventories and stabilise supply. Grid managers have adjusted unit commitments and increased utilisation of available domestic coal stocks while arranging rail and road logistics to expedite deliveries. Thermal stations are synchronising schedules with hydroelectric output variations to reduce peak stress, and regulators are coordinating with distribution companies to manage demand and prioritise critical infrastructure. Supply depends on rail and road movements this season.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Bevel Gears India Opens Aerospace Gear Plant Near Bengaluru

Bevel Gears India (BGI) has inaugurated a 70,000 sq ft manufacturing facility near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, dedicated exclusively to aerospace and defence gearing.The facility has been developed to manufacture flight-critical gearing with dedicated production, inspection and quality infrastructure. It will produce spiral and straight bevel gears, zerol and angular bevels, beveloids, hypoid and high-ratio hypoid gears, curvic couplings and precision parallel-axis gearing.The plant will cater to aero-engine, helicopter, UAV, actuation and aerospace gearbox programmes, suppo..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Tata Hitachi Opens New Warehouse at Kharagpur Plant

Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery Company has inaugurated a new warehouse at its Kharagpur manufacturing facility in West Bengal to strengthen its supply chain and improve customer support across India.The facility was inaugurated by Sandeep Singh, Managing Director, Tata Hitachi, in the presence of Hiroshi Hosokawa, President – Spare Parts & Service Business Unit and Executive Officer, along with the company’s senior leadership and employees.The new warehouse is designed to enhance warehousing and inventory management capabilities, enabling more efficient handling and availability o..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Vishnu Chemicals, DCX Chrome Form JV for Chromium Plant

Vishnu Chemicals Limited (VCL) has entered into a definitive joint venture agreement with France-based DCX Chrome SAS to establish a greenfield high-purity chromium metal manufacturing facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.The two companies will hold equal 50% stakes in the proposed venture. The facility will have an installed capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes per annum and will manufacture high-purity chromium metal for applications across the aerospace, defence, energy, oil and gas, and chemical processing sectors.Under the partnership, DCX Chrome will provide its proprietary aluminothermi..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code