Coal stocks at power plants remain stable above 18 MT
Coal supplies to power plants strengthen in October 2026, slowing depletion rates and ensuring uninterrupted power generation across India.
The coal reserves at domestic coal-based power plants in India have reached a point of stability, maintaining levels above the 18 million tonne (MT) mark. As of October 10, 2026, stocks stood at 18.205 MT, showing a consistent trend since late September. This stability is a crucial indicator for the nation's energy security, ensuring that the fuel required for electricity generation remains available.
Slowing depletion as supplies strengthen
A significant shift has been observed in the rate at which coal stocks are being consumed. While September 2026 saw a sharp decline in reserves, the first ten days of October have shown a much more controlled depletion rate. In September, stocks plummeted by approximately 7.28 MT, with an average daily loss of 0.24 MT. However, in early October, that decline slowed drastically to just 0.56 MT over ten days, averaging a mere 0.06 MT per day.
This trend reversal is largely attributed to a surge in coal supplies. The Ministry of Coal reported that the average daily coal supply to the power sector rose to 2.49 MT in October, up from 2.21 MT recorded in September. In fact, during the first ten days of October, the supply exceeded the planned target of 2.37 MT on nine out of the ten days.
Increased rake loading drives availability
The backbone of this improved supply chain has been the increased efficiency in transporting coal via railways. The data highlights a notable jump in logistics performance:
- Rake Supply Increase: The average number of rakes supplied to the power sector rose to 469 per day in October, compared to 426 per day in September—a 10 per cent increase.
- Daily Fluctuations: During the period of October 1–10, daily rake loading remained robust, ranging between 447 and 482 rakes.
- Stock Accretion: The strengthening supply led to actual increases in stocks on two specific days this month, with gains of 0.024 MT on October 2 and 0.017 MT on October 10.
Strategic monitoring for uninterrupted power
To prevent any localized energy crises, the Ministry of Coal is implementing a targeted redistribution strategy. Authorities are closely monitoring plants that fall into the "critically low stock" category. Coal is being actively diverted to these vulnerable stations based on their specific requirements to ensure that power generation remains uninterrupted across the country.
The Ministry emphasized that maintaining these levels requires seamless coordination between several key entities, including Coal India Limited (CIL), SCCL, the Ministry of Railways, and various power utilities. The Ministry also expressed appreciation for the Indian Railways' role in facilitating the efficient and rapid movement of coal to meet the sector's growing demands.