Archive · 9 Sep 2026
India Coal Minister Assures Thermal Plants of Full Supplies
India uses coal to make much of its electricity.
Heavy rains slowed coal production and deliveries for about 10 days.
This caused some power plants to have very low coal stocks.
Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy said more than 123 million tonnes was available.
He said this amount could support electricity demand for 51 days.
Coal production and deliveries increased after the rains became weaker.
More coal was also sent by road to help the railway system.
However, many plants still had less than one-quarter of their needed coal.
The country also continued to experience electricity shortages in some regions.
Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy said more than 123 million tonnes of coal was available across mines, transit routes and thermal plants.
He said supplies were disrupted for about 10 days by rains but would improve as rainfall subsided.
Thermal power plants held about 23.7 million tonnes of coal, while roughly 100 million tonnes was at mine pitheads or in transit.
Coal supply to power plants rose 4.5% to 346.72 million tonnes during April-August of FY27.
Despite increased supplies, 58 thermal plants had stocks below 25% of required inventories and the power deficit reached 19.57 million units on Sunday.
- Who
- Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy, the Coal Ministry, thermal power plants and electricity-system authorities.
- What
- The minister assured power plants that coal supplies would meet requirements despite recent low stock levels and power shortages.
- When
- The assurance was given on Tuesday; the reported supply and generation figures cover April-August of FY27.
- Where
- Across India, with shortages particularly pronounced in the northern and western regions.
- Why
- Rains had disrupted coal production and transport, while high electricity demand and lower hydropower generation increased pressure on coal-fired plants.
Government assurance
Supply and shortage concerns
Coal availability
Government assurance
G. Kishan Reddy said more than 123 million tonnes was available and that power plants would receive 100% of their requirements going forward.
Supply and shortage concerns
The reported stock figures show that 58 thermal power plants had less than 25% of their required inventories.
Effect of the rains
Government assurance
The minister said production and supplies were increasing as rains subsided after disrupting deliveries for about 10 days.
Supply and shortage concerns
Recent rainfall-related disruptions had already affected supplies, while power shortages remained high in parts of northern and western India.
Transport capacity
Government assurance
The Coal Ministry said additional coal was being moved by road, and railway rake loading increased from 370 on 3 September to 444 on 6 September.
Supply and shortage concerns
The need for road deliveries to supplement rail supplies indicates continued logistical pressure as electricity demand rises.
- Available coal
- More than 123 million tonnes across mines, in transit and at thermal plants.
- Estimated coverage
- The minister said the available coal was enough to meet electricity demand for 51 days.
- Plant stocks
- Thermal power plants held about 23.7 million tonnes of coal.
- April-August supply
- Coal deliveries to power plants reached 346.72 million tonnes, up 4.5% from 331.70 million tonnes a year earlier.
- Power generation
- Coal-based generation rose 9.1% to 535.8 billion units during the period.
- Low-stock plants
- Fifty-eight thermal power plants had coal stocks below 25% of required inventories.
- Power deficit
- The deficit was 19.57 million units on Sunday and exceeded 28 million units on 5 September.