Coal stocks sufficient for 51 days of power demand as output rebounds

India's coal reserves are adequate to sustain domestic power generation for roughly 51 days, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said on Tuesday, seeking to allay concerns over supply disruptions caused by heavy monsoon rains in mining belts.

Speaking to reporters, Reddy said the country currently holds about 123.7 million tonnes (MT) of coal, of which 23.7 MT is stocked at thermal power plants. With the power sector consuming nearly 2.4 MT daily, the existing inventory is sufficient to meet demand for over seven weeks.

The assurance comes amid observations by the Central Electricity Authority that 53 thermal plants were holding at or below 25 percent of their required coal stock.

Coal output was affected for roughly 10 days due to intense rainfall in key producing regions, Reddy noted. However, with precipitation easing in recent days, production has picked up. "We are monitoring the situation daily. Rainfall has eased in the last couple of days, thus production has increased. There is no need to worry about coal stocks," he said.

The minister added that if moderate rainfall persists for another week, output could rise further. The Coal Ministry is coordinating with producers, the Power Ministry, and Railways to ensure steady availability and smooth offtake.

Coal-based power generation between April and August rose 9.1 percent year-on-year to 535.8 billion units, driven partly by El Niño conditions and an 11 percent decline in hydropower output, according to government officials.

Coal India's production has also rebounded sharply. Its average daily output climbed about 35 percent from the first three days of September to roughly 1.83 MT by September 6, signalling a recovery from the monsoon-related slowdown.