Archive · 29 Sep 2026
India’s Coal Stocks Slide as Power Demand Surges
India’s power plants are using coal faster than they can replace it.
This is happening because people and businesses are using unusually large amounts of electricity.
Hydropower is also producing less electricity because rainfall has been below normal in some areas.
As a result, coal plants are working harder to keep the electricity supply steady.
By September 27, their coal stocks were much lower than the amount considered safe.
Many plants had less than one-quarter of their recommended supply.
The government ordered many captive power plants to run at full capacity to add more electricity to the system.
Improved rainfall could reduce demand, but very heavy rain could also make coal mining and transport more difficult.
Coal stocks at India’s domestic coal-fired power plants fell nearly 24%, from 25.4 million tonnes on September 1 to 19.2 million tonnes on September 27.
Stocks were 64% below the required level, while at least 72 of 168 plants held critically low inventories.
Peak electricity demand reached a September record of 269 gigawatts on September 10, just below the annual peak of 270 GW.
Coal-based generation rose 15.5% during September 1-26, while hydropower generation declined 15.5% from the same period last year.
The government invoked Section 11 of the Electricity Act, directing about 112 captive coal plants to operate at maximum capacity from October 1 through December 31.
- Who
- India’s domestic coal-based power plants, the Indian government, and captive coal-fired power plants are involved.
- What
- Coal inventories declined sharply as electricity demand and coal-based generation increased while hydropower output fell.
- When
- Stocks were assessed on September 27; the government’s order applies from October 1 through December 31.
- Where
- Across India’s domestic coal-based power plants and captive coal-fired power plants.
- Why
- High electricity demand, lower hydropower generation, and monsoon-related disruptions to coal mining and evacuation increased pressure on coal supplies.
- Coal stocks on September 27
- 19.2 million tonnes
- Required coal stocks
- 53.7 million tonnes
- Stock decline since September 1
- Nearly 24%, from 25.4 million tonnes
- Plants at critical stock levels
- At least 72 of 168 domestic coal-based plants
- September peak demand
- 269 gigawatts on September 10
- Coal generation change
- Up 15.5% during September 1-26 compared with the same period last year
- Government emergency measure
- About 112 captive coal plants ordered to operate at maximum capacity from October 1 to December 31