India Power Demand Rises Nine Per Cent as Coal Output Falls

30 Jun 2026 CW Team

Domestic coal production fell nine point three per cent year on year during the opening two months of FY27, largely due to lower output from Coal India Ltd, while supplies to the power sector slipped one point one per cent, indicating tighter fuel availability. Coal inventories at thermal plants stood at 15 days as of June 15, well below the normative 24 days and leaving a limited buffer despite improvement from critically low levels in September 2023.

Icra said that sustained recovery in production and supply remains critical to maintain adequate buffer stocks and warned that further declines could lead to an inability to meet significant surges in peak demand. The rating agency indicated it expects demand growth to remain robust in FY27, supported by factors such as a potentially stronger summer season, the possible impact of a Super El Niño, a favourable base effect and continued momentum in industrial and commercial activity. Analysts noted that supply dynamics will shape short term price outcomes.

Supply additions have been strong, with nine point six GW of generation capacity added in the first two months of FY27, primarily from renewables, and the agency expects net capacity additions of around 50 GW in FY27 driven by tendering and policy support. Short term prices have remained elevated, with spot power tariffs averaging Rs four point six per unit as of June 15, down from Rs four point nine in May but higher than Rs three point seven recorded in June 2025. Continued progress on coal production and efficient fuel transport will determine whether the current buffer is sufficient for months ahead.

India's electricity demand rose nine per cent year on year in the first 22 days of June 2026, building on an 11.2 per cent increase in May and taking growth in the first two months of FY27 to seven point one per cent. The recovery follows earlier weather disruptions and reflects sustained consumption by industrial, commercial and residential users. Grid Controller of India Ltd data showed acceleration in daily load as summer consumption strengthened. Domestic coal production fell nine point three per cent year on year during the opening two months of FY27, largely due to lower output from Coal India Ltd, while supplies to the power sector slipped one point one per cent, indicating tighter fuel availability. Coal inventories at thermal plants stood at 15 days as of June 15, well below the normative 24 days and leaving a limited buffer despite improvement from critically low levels in September 2023. Icra said that sustained recovery in production and supply remains critical to maintain adequate buffer stocks and warned that further declines could lead to an inability to meet significant surges in peak demand. The rating agency indicated it expects demand growth to remain robust in FY27, supported by factors such as a potentially stronger summer season, the possible impact of a Super El Niño, a favourable base effect and continued momentum in industrial and commercial activity. Analysts noted that supply dynamics will shape short term price outcomes. Supply additions have been strong, with nine point six GW of generation capacity added in the first two months of FY27, primarily from renewables, and the agency expects net capacity additions of around 50 GW in FY27 driven by tendering and policy support. Short term prices have remained elevated, with spot power tariffs averaging Rs four point six per unit as of June 15, down from Rs four point nine in May but higher than Rs three point seven recorded in June 2025. Continued progress on coal production and efficient fuel transport will determine whether the current buffer is sufficient for months ahead.

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