Nearly one-third of India’s coal-fired power plants are running with critically low coal stocks as electricity demand remains high during an unusually hot September, according to government data reported on Friday. Fifty-nine plants had either less than 25% of their required coal inventory or enough fuel for fewer than three days of generation as of September 9, up from 45 at the end of August.
India’s power demand has stayed close to record levels in recent days, reaching around 267 GW, as people use more cooling equipment during the prolonged heat.
The pressure is also coming at a time when hydropower generation is weaker and electricity storage is still limited.
Solar power is supplying a large part of the country’s daytime electricity needs, but coal plants remain important when demand rises and solar generation falls.
The government has already increased coal movement to power stations. On September 6, 444 coal trains were deployed, compared with 370 on September 3. Coal India has also increased road deliveries.
Coal India says it has about 76 million tonnes of coal at its mining sites, but the immediate concern is getting enough of that coal to individual power plants where stocks are low.
The numbers do not mean India is facing an immediate nationwide power shortage. But they show how closely the electricity system is being stretched by high demand and weather conditions.
For households, businesses and industries, the concern is simple: when electricity demand keeps rising, the system needs enough fuel and backup capacity to keep the supply steady.
