+
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

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train’s Surat-Vapi Section Set for 2027

The first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor, linking Surat and Vapi, is targeted to begin services in 2027. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026, while Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that an inauguration could take place around the middle of 2027. The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) said the train being manufactured in India is expected to reach the tracks around April or May 2027. The train will undergo extensive testing before the section is opened for passenger services. The project began construction in 2021 and includ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Indian Railways Approves Four Projects Worth Rs. 7.36 bn Across Four States

Indian Railways has approved four projects with a combined value of Rs. 7.36 bn across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The programme covers train protection, signalling, electric traction supply and a road overbridge, with each project assigned to a different railway zone. In Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 2.52 bn has been approved to extend the Kavach 4.0 automatic train protection system across 607.7 km in the Lucknow Division of North Eastern Railway. The system monitors train movements and can apply the brakes if a driver fails to observe a signal or exceeds a safe speed. The w..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Chandru Raheja Sells 1.49% Stake in Mindspace REIT for Rs. 5 bn

Billionaire Chandru Lachmandas Raheja has sold a 1.49 per cent holding in Mindspace Business Parks REIT for Rs. 5 bn through a bulk deal on the BSE. The transaction involved 9.9 mn units and was executed at an average price of Rs. 505 per unit, according to exchange data. Following the sale, units of Mindspace Business Parks REIT were trading 0.18 per cent lower at Rs. 504.05 on Tuesday. Exchange data did not identify the buyers involved in the transaction. Raheja is the chairman of real estate company K Raheja Corp. The sale involved 99,00,990 units, representing 1.49 per cent of the Mumbai-b..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code