India has decided to simplify its coal stocking regulations for thermal power plants, mandating them to maintain fuel inventories based on a specified plant load factor to avert the annual crisis the country faces during peak electricity demand seasons.
At present, the regulations are based on the last seven-day average coal consumption. Pithead plants have to maintain 15 days’ stock while for other generators, this can go up to 30 days depending on the distance between the plant and the coal supplying mine. The government is also considering reducing these categories and the number of days for stock requirement.
