Coal stocks at Indian power plants plunge 66% as summer ends, rebuilding needed by March

Coal inventories at domestic coal‑fired power plants fell 66% this year, dropping from about 54.9 million tonnes in early April to just 18.6 million tonnes by the end of September, officials said. The decline is the steepest in the past three years and far exceeds the 23% fall recorded for the same period last year, when stocks slipped from 55.2 million to 42.6 million tonnes. A senior power‑system official warned that the real worry is not this year but next, as plants must rebuild stocks by March before the next summer rush. Officials expect relief from reduced electricity demand as rainfall eases heat in northern and eastern India and the post‑summer demand pattern sets in. They also point to better railway rake availability and a rise in coal output as help. Coal India Limited, which supplies about 83% of the power sector’s coal, posted a 9.18% rise in September production over the previous year. Power‑sector deliveries grew 10.63%, reaching 48.90 million tonnes from 44.20 million tonnes in the prior fiscal. The ministry has asked roughly 112 captive coal plants to run at full capacity from Oct 1 to Dec 31, and is discussing blending imported coal with domestic supplies, though no decision is final. Meanwhile, five to six major renewable firms plan to add about 10 GW of battery energy storage by March to smooth the gap between daytime solar output and evening demand. "This will be very beneficial for the system, especially during the evening and night hours when there is greater stress on the grid," the official added. ## Context The sharp fall in coal stocks reflects both seasonal demand swings and logistical bottlenecks, while upcoming measures aim to prevent shortages during the next summer peak.