Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Reddy Says No Coal Shortage As Power Demand Rises
G Kishan Reddy said India does not have a coal shortage.
Power plants are using more coal because people are using more electricity.
Thermal power demand increased by about 12-15%.
Hydropower generation went down, so coal-based plants had to produce more power.
Rain and monsoon conditions also temporarily affected coal mining.
Reddy said coal production has returned to normal.
The government is sending more coal by rail and road.
However, reports said many power plants had very low coal stocks, so concerns about supply remain.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said India has no coal shortage despite increased thermal power demand.
Thermal power demand rose by about 12-15% as hydropower generation declined.
Monsoon-related rainfall temporarily disrupted coal production and mining operations.
The government is increasing coal deliveries to power plants through additional railway rakes, alongside road transport.
Reports said 74 plants had critically low coal inventories on September 19, while peak power demand remained between 230 and 250 gigawatts.
- Who
- Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, along with India’s coal and power authorities.
- What
- The government said there is no coal shortage and is increasing supplies to coal-fired power plants despite high demand and temporary disruptions.
- When
- Monday, September 28; data cited in the report showed critically low inventories as of September 19.
- Where
- Kolkata, where Reddy spoke during the Assocham-organised Angul Aluminium Roadshow.
- Why
- Thermal power demand rose by 12-15%, hydropower generation declined, and monsoon conditions disrupted coal production.
Government assessment
Supply concerns
Whether India faces a coal shortage
Government assessment
G Kishan Reddy said there is no shortage, production has returned to normal, and there is no reason for concern.
Supply concerns
Reports of critically low inventories at many coal-fired plants have raised concerns about coal availability despite the government’s assessment.
Reason for low plant stocks
Government assessment
The government attributed pressure on supplies to higher thermal power demand, lower hydropower generation, and temporary monsoon-related disruptions.
Supply concerns
The reported data showed that 74 plants had critically low stocks on September 19, suggesting that some plants faced significant fuel constraints.
Response to rising demand
Government assessment
The government said it is strengthening supplies through additional railway rakes and road transport.
Supply concerns
The continued peak demand of 230-250 gigawatts and elevated thermal power use indicate that supply movement remains under pressure.
- Official assessment
- G Kishan Reddy said the coal supply situation is normal and there is no shortage.
- Thermal demand
- Increased by around 12-15%.
- Coal transport
- Supplies are being delivered by additional railway rakes and by road.
- Weather disruption
- Rainfall and monsoon conditions temporarily affected coal mining and production.
- Critically low inventories
- The Central Electricity Authority counted 74 plants with critically low coal stocks on September 19, compared with about 60 a week earlier.
- Peak power demand
- Remained between 230 and 250 gigawatts during the reported week.
- Low-stock threshold
- Plants were classified as critically low if they had less than 25% of required inventory or fewer than three days of generation fuel.
