Coal news and updates

Coal stocks at power plants rise on w-o-w basis

India Coal Market Watch

November 27: The coal stock levels at about 100 thermal power plants monitored by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) rose further during the week ending November 25 compared to the previous week on higher supplies by domestic miners and higher receipts of imported coal, according to CEA data.

The coal stocks at these plants rose to 26.011 million tons (mt) on November 25, 2015 from 25.497 mt as on November 18, 2015. The coal stock at these plants a month ago, ie, on October 25, had stood at 23.793 mt.

The stocks on the above dates were, however, significantly higher compared to a low of 10.493 mt a year ago on November 25, 2014, according to CEA data.

With the rise in coal stock levels, the number of plants facing critical coal stocks position of less than seven days fell to only one plant on November 25 and five on November 18, while the figure was seven on October 25, 2015. However, a year ago, ie, on November 25, 214, as many at 52 plants were facing a critical coal stocks position.

Similarly, the number of plants facing super-critical coal stock levels of less than four days stood at only one as on November 25, 2015 compared to two plants facing the same situation on November 18 and four plants on October 25. The total number of such plants stood at a high of 30 as on November 25, 2014.

Of the total coal stocks as on November 25, 2015, imported coal inventory was at 1.630 mt and domestic coal was 24.380 mt, while on November 18, 2015, imported coal inventory was at 1.556 mt and domestic coal at 23.941 mt.

On the other hand, on October 25, 2015, imported coal inventory was at 1.531 mt and domestic coal at 22.262 mt while on November 25, 2014 the stocks of imported and domestic coals were at 1.277 mt and 9.216 mt, respectively.

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