India holds approximately 123.7 million tonnes (MT) of coal stocks, enough to meet nearly 51 days of domestic power demand, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said, aiming to ease concerns over coal availability amid the monsoon season.
Out of this total, 23.7 MT is stored at thermal power plants, which consume about 2.4 MT of coal daily. This stockpile provides a significant buffer for electricity generation despite temporary disruptions from heavy monsoon rains in coal-producing areas. Nevertheless, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) reported that 53 thermal power plants have coal stocks at 25% or less of their required levels, indicating uneven availability across plants. The government is closely monitoring coal supplies to prevent localized shortages from impacting power generation.
Heavy monsoon rains have temporarily slowed coal production and hampered coal transportation from mining regions. Despite this seasonal challenge, officials say the overall coal inventory remains sufficient to meet power sector needs in the short term.
Authorities continue working with coal producers, thermal power plants, and transport agencies to maintain steady supplies.
Efforts to enhance coal transportation and manage production during the monsoon are underway to ensure stable thermal power generation. While lower stock levels at some plants present concerns, the sizeable national coal inventory and ongoing supply monitoring are expected to mitigate the risk of widespread power disruptions during this monsoon-related slowdown.
