Thermal power outage due to low coal stocks reduces

The total thermal power capacity under outage due to low coal stocks fell to 6 GW (Gigawatts) on Wednesday from 11 GW on Tuesday, according to a Power Ministry release.

The country’s thermal power plants had an average coal stock of four days on October 12, as against recommended inventory levels of 15-30 days based on the distance of plants from the source of coal. A spike in power demand as the economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic and high international coal prices, coupled with supply side issues and inadequate coal procurement by plants in the April-June period, have contributed to low coal inventory. Low stocks have contributed to power shortages across a number of states including Punjab, Rajasthan and Bihar that are facing power cuts due to inadequate supplies.