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India Ramps Up Coal Supplies as Power Plant Stocks Fall
India’s power plants need coal to make electricity.
Many plants had less than one-quarter of the coal they are supposed to keep in stock.
The government is watching these plants closely and trying to send them more coal.
Coal producers loaded 444 train shipments for power plants on September 6.
Electricity shortages have been especially serious in northern and western India.
People have been using more electricity because the weather is hotter and farmers need more irrigation.
Rain had slowed coal mining, but production increased as the rain became weaker.
The government hopes increased coal deliveries will help power plants produce enough electricity.
State-run producers loaded 444 railway rakes for power plants on September 6, 2026.
Coal stocks at 58 thermal power plants were below 25% of required levels.
The number of plants with critical stocks increased from 45 at the beginning of September.
India’s power deficit reached 20.06 million units on Sunday after exceeding 27 million units on September 4.
Average daily coal production rose about 35% to 1.83 million tonnes as rainfall receded.
- Who
- India’s coal ministry, Coal India Limited, its subsidiaries, state-run coal producers, and captive mine operators are increasing supplies to thermal power plants.
- What
- Coal deliveries are being increased as dozens of thermal power plants face low inventories and the country experiences power shortages.
- Where
- The affected thermal power plants are in India, with shortages particularly pronounced in the northern and western regions.
- When
- The supply increase was reported on September 6, 2026; coal loading had risen over the previous four days.
- Why
- Lower coal stocks, elevated electricity demand, weaker monsoon rains, increased irrigation use, and hotter conditions have pressured the power system.
Key facts
- Railway rakes loaded
- 444 for the power sector on September 6, 2026
- Plants below required stock levels
- 58 thermal power plants had coal stocks below 25% of requirements
- Earlier critical-stock count
- 45 plants at the beginning of September
- Power deficit
- 20.06 million units on Sunday
- Earlier power deficit
- More than 27 million units on September 4
- Daily coal production
- 1.83 million tonnes on September 6, up from about 1.36 million tonnes during September 1-3
- Coal-loading increase
- From 370 rakes on September 3 to 444 rakes on September 6
Quotes
Coal ministry
India’s government ministry responsible for coal supply and production
“Coal loading to the power sector has shown a consistent upward trend over the past four days, rising from 370 rakes on 03.09.2026 to 444 rakes on 06.09.2026, a net addition of 74 rakes/day, including a single-day improvement of 31 rakes on 06.09.2026 alone.”
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Sources
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