Coal supplies to power plants rise 36% from September lows; rail loading hits 465 rakes a day
The Indian government reports a 36% increase in coal supplies to power plants since September, with daily rail loading reaching 465 rakes. Officials state that this stabilization is helping to rebuild stocks and reduce the number of power plants facing critical fuel shortages.
Why it matters
Reliable coal supply is vital for maintaining energy security and preventing power outages during peak demand periods.
Daily coal supplies to the power sector have risen 36% from their post-monsoon lows in September and are averaging about 9% higher in October than in the preceding month, the government said on Friday, signalling an improvement in fuel availability for power generation.
Rail-based supplies have also been strengthened, with an average of 465 rakes dispatched daily in October, the government said, adding that road-based supplies had improved as well.
Last month, state-owned Coal India and its subsidiaries offered power plants with existing supply agreements the option to lift additional coal beyond their annual contracted quantities through road transport, supplementing their regular rail-based supplies.
The Coal Ministry expects daily rail loading of 465–475 rakes to be sufficient to meet power demand, which is expected to moderate by mid-October in line with historical trends.
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