Coal news and updates

Coal stocks at India’s power units cross 30-mt mark

Coal stock levels at about 100 thermal power plants monitored by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) crossed the 30-million ton (mt) mark as on December 22, 2015.

Coal stocks at these plants rose to 30.039 mt on December 22, 2015, up 2.25% from 29.378 mt on December 15, as well as up 15.94% from 25.910 mt as on November 22.

The stocks on the above dates were, however, significantly higher compared to a low of 13.113 mt a year ago on December 22, 2014.

However, no plant was identified as facing a critical coal stocks level of less than seven days as on December 22, 2015. The total number of such plants stood at two on December 15, 2015, five on November 22, 2015 and a high of 43 as on December 22, 2014.

Similarly, no plant was identified as facing a super-critical coal stocks level of less than four days as on December 22, 2015. The total number of such plants stood at nil on December 15, 2015, two on November 22, 2015 and at a high of 20 as on December 22, 2014.

On December 22, 2015, imported coal inventory was at 2.343 mt and domestic coal at 27.696 mt while on December 15, 2015, imported coal inventory was at 2.369 mt and domestic coal at 27.008 mt. 

On the other hand, on November 22, 2015, imported coal inventory was at 1.570 mt and domestic coal at 24.341 mt, while on December 22, 2014, imported coal inventory was at 1.689 mt and domestic coal at 11.424 mt. 

In terms of days, stocks of coal on December 22 and 15, 2015 were sufficient to run all the plants for 23 and 22 days respectively while on November 22, 2015 and December 22, 2014 the stocks sufficient to run the plants were 20 and 9 respectively.

Following table shows coal stocks position at power plants on various days: