45 Indian coal power plants have critical low fuel, government data shows

Business Recorder reported that 45 power plants in India are running with critically low coal inventories, according to government data. The count rose from 31 at the end of July, based on figures as of August 25. Forty of these units burn domestic coal, figures posted by the Central Electricity Authority, a think tank tied to the power ministry, show.

Heavy rain in Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh has disrupted mining and slowed coal deliveries to generators, industry sources said. BigMint, a commodities consultancy, put plant stocks at 30.95 million tons, roughly 10 days of operational needs, compared with 12 days in July. The consultancy linked the decline to a sharp drawdown during August, with stocks down 19% from late July.

An NTPC official said supplies are running hand-to-mouth as the uneven monsoon pushes up air-conditioning demand, while India has received 12% less rain than normal this season. The power ministry has asked some coal units to postpone planned maintenance until supply becomes clearer.