Non-pithead plants may need to stock coal for a minimum of 20 days

Thermal power plants located away from mines will have to maintain coal stocks adequate to operate at 75% of capacity for at least 20 days, according to new norms the government is expected to soon notify to prevent an energy crisis in the future. This requirement will go up to 22 days in the summer months and a maximum of 23 days in the January-March, a senior government official said. The minimum 20-day requirement is for the heaviest monsoon months of July-September. The government expects norms to end the annual coal-led power crisis after the rainy season, he said.