Business · Energy & Commodities · 2 days ago
India’s coal supplies to power plants rise, but stocks are not yet rebuilding
India’s Coal Ministry says coal supplies to power plants averaged about 9% higher in October than in September.
Daily supplies were around 36% above their September low, and plants were using up their reserves more slowly.
On October 8, 176 coal-fired power plants held 18.25 million tonnes of coal, with 79 classed as having critical stocks.
That label is based on standard stock levels and does not necessarily mean a plant faces an immediate shortage or power-generation loss.
Stocks are not yet rebuilding, in part because plants have been burning coal faster amid high electricity demand.
The ministry says coal is being redirected to plants with greater needs to help maintain power supplies.
It expects sustained rail deliveries and lower seasonal demand to support further stabilisation and eventually allow stocks to rebuild.
India’s Coal Ministry said supplies to power plants averaged about 9% higher in October than in September.
Daily coal supplies to the power sector rose around 36% from the September low, while stock depletion slowed by more than half.
The ministry said coal stock rebuilding had not yet begun, and would take time at 176 domestic coal-based plants.
On October 8, those plants held 18.25 million tonnes of coal, with 79 plants classified as having critical stocks.
The ministry said it was monitoring vulnerable plants and redistributing coal according to requirements to support uninterrupted power generation.
- Who
- India’s Coal Ministry reported the supply and stock trends at thermal power plants.
- What
- October coal supplies averaged about 9% above September, and the rate of stock depletion slowed. Stock rebuilding had not yet begun.
- When
- The ministry made the statement on Friday, October 9, 2026. The figures compare October with September.
- Where
- Thermal power plants in India.
- Why
- Coal supplies rose as dispatches increased, helping slow stock depletion. The ministry said power plants were using reserves when daily supplies fell short of requirements.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Daily supplies to the power sector have risen by around 36 per cent from the September low, with October averaging about 9 per cent higher than September. The rate of stock depletion has also moderated significantly.
Stock depletion has slowed sharply, with the daily drawdown falling by more than half from 0.243 mt per day in September to 0.116 mt daily in October. The position is therefore stabilising, although stock rebuilding is yet to commence.
Daily coal stock depletion at power plants averaged 0.243 million tonnes.
Average supplies to the power sector rose about 9% compared with September, and daily stock depletion fell to 0.116 million tonnes.
Coal India dispatched an average of 1.81 million tonnes per day, while domestic coal-based plants required about 2.95 million tonnes per day.
Domestic coal-based plants held 18.25 million tonnes of coal, and 79 plants had critical stocks.
The Coal Ministry reported higher supplies and slower stock depletion.
- Supply change
- October averaged about 9% higher than September
- Rise from September low
- Daily power-sector supplies increased around 36%
- Stock depletion
- 0.116 million tonnes per day in October, down from 0.243 million tonnes in September
- Coal stocks
- 18.25 million tonnes at domestic coal-based plants on October 8
- Critical stocks
- 79 of 176 domestic coal-based plants on October 8
- Rail loading
- More than 465 rakes per day on average in October; the 470-rake target was met for three consecutive days
Sources
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