Pace of Coal Stock Depletion at Domestic Thermal Power Plants Eases in Oct: Govt

New Delhi: The pace of coal stock depletion at domestic thermal power plants has eased sharply this month, with inventories staying above 18 million tonnes (MT) since September 29, the government said on Monday.

Stocks declined to 18.205 million tonnes (MT) on October 10 from 18.932 MT on September 29.

The development assumes significance as it comes after a decline in September, when coal stocks at power plants fell to low levels.

“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 depletion of coal inventories at domestic power plants has eased significantly in the current month on account on higher rake loading.

“In September, stock declined by about 7.28 MT over the month, an average of about 0.24 MT per day,” it said.

In the first ten days of October, stock declined by only about 0.56 MT in total, an average of about 0.06 MT per day, it added.

Higher rake loading has driven this improvement. Rakes loaded to the power sector averaged 469 rakes per day in October 2026 (1-10 October), against 426 rakes per day in September 2026, an increase of about 10 per cent, the statement said.

Daily rake loading in October has ranged between 447 and 482 rakes.

As a result, actual coal supply to the power sector averaged 2.49 million tonnes per day in October, up from 2.21 million tonnes per day in September.

The actual coal supply in the current month (till October 10) is higher than the supply plan of 2.37 MT per day, and supply exceeded the plan on nine of the 10 days, it said.

The coal ministry continues to work in close coordination with Coal India Limited (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), the Ministry of Railways and power utilities to ensure sustained coal evacuation and supply, thereby maintaining adequate coal stocks at thermal power plants.

“The Ministry of Coal duly acknowledges and appreciates the continued support and professional commitment of Indian Railways in facilitating the efficient movement of coal,” it said.

CIL accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output.

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