NEW DELHI: India is facing mounting pressure on its electricity sector as 45 coal-fired power plants are operating with critically low fuel inventories amid disrupted supplies and higher power demand, government data showed.
The number of plants with coal stocks below 25% of required inventory, or enough fuel for less than three days of generation, rose sharply from 31 at the end of July, according to the Central Electricity Authority.
Of the affected facilities, 40 are domestic coal-fired plants.
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Heavy rainfall in major coal-producing states, including Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, has disrupted mining operations and slowed transportation to power stations.
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Commodities consultancy BigMint said inventories declined 19% from end-July levels.
Coal stocks at power plants stood at around 30.95 million tonnes, equivalent to roughly 10 days of operational requirements, compared with 12 days in July.
The supply pressure coincides with an uneven monsoon linked to El Niño. India has received about 12% less rainfall than normal this monsoon season, increasing electricity demand, particularly for air conditioning.
An NTPC official told the media that some power stations required five to six coal rakes but were receiving only around half that number.
With coal supplies under pressure, India’s power ministry has asked some coal-fired plants to postpone planned maintenance until the supply situation becomes clearer, according to a senior ministry official.
