India has adequate coal stocks to meet about fifty-one days of domestic power demand, G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Coal and Mines told reporters addressing queries about the present stock situation as monsoon rains in coal-bearing regions temporarily impacted production.

Mr. Reddy informed the country has 123.7 million tonnes (MT) of coal – inclusive of thermal power plants holding 23.7 MT.

Thus, with the present rate of consumption of the power sector hovering at about 2.4 MT per day, the stock can suffice for about fifty-one-days, he explained in response to a query from about the Central Electricity Authority’s recent observation that 53 thermal power plants in the country were holding 25% or less of their overall coal requirements.

Mr. Reddy stated that coal production was bothered for about ten days because of monsoons in coal-bearing regions.

“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 stated, adding separately, “Should the rainfall continue to be moderate for another week, we would be able to increase production further.”

Mr. Reddy also told reporters that Coal Ministry is regularly coordinating with coal companies, the Union Power Ministry and Rail Ministry, for offtake and stock adequacy.

Separately, government officials informed that coal-based power generation increased 9.1% between April and August this year to 535.8 billion units from the comparable period last year.

“This was mainly driven by higher power demand due to El Niño conditions, coupled with an 11% decline in hydropower generation,” they explained.

According to last available data from the government, Coal India’s average daily production increased 35% from the first three-days of September to about 1.83 MT on Sept 6.