Coal stocks at power plants remain above 18 MT as depletion slows in October

Coal stocks at domestic coal-based power plants have remained above 18 million tonnes since September 29 as the pace of depletion slowed in October, the coal ministry said on Monday.

Coal stocks stood at 18.205 million tonnes on October 10, compared with 18.932 million tonnes on September 29, according to the ministry.

Stock depletion slowed to an average of 0.06 million tonnes per day in the first 10 days of October, against around 0.24 million tonnes per day in September.

The improvement was driven by higher coal loading and supplies to the power sector, the ministry said.

Rake loading to the power sector averaged 469 rakes per day during October 1-10, up from 426 rakes per day in September, marking an increase of about 10 per cent. Daily loading during the period ranged between 447 and 482 rakes.

Actual coal supplies to the power sector averaged 2.49 million tonnes per day in October up to the 10th, compared with 2.21 million tonnes per day in September.

The daily supply in October was higher than the planned 2.37 million tonnes, with actual supplies exceeding the target on nine of the 10 days, the ministry said.

Coal stocks also recorded an increase on October 2 and October 10, rising by 24,000 tonnes and 17,000 tonnes, respectively.

"The stabilisation reflects coal supplies keeping pace with daily consumption at power plants and the supply to the plants with critical stocks is being closely monitored, with requirement-based redistribution of coal to vulnerable stations to ensure adequate supplies and uninterrupted power generation," the coal ministry said in a statement.

The ministry is coordinating with Coal India Ltd, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd, the Railways Ministry and power utilities to sustain coal evacuation and supplies to thermal power plants.

It also acknowledged the support of Indian Railways in facilitating the movement of coal.

In September, coal stocks at power plants had declined by around 7.28 million tonnes over the month, compared with a fall of only 0.56 million tonnes during the first 10 days of October, the ministry said.