Coal news and updates

Running On Empty: NTPC power plants have coal stocks of only 8.5 days

The reasons for the dismal stocks range from low production due to monsoons, supply issues due to logistical constraints, and robust power demand even at night. But the situation is likely to improve from the end of this month thanks to higher production

The critically low stocks at NTPC plants reflect the overall coal situation across all thermal power plants in India.

India's largest thermal power generating company, NTPC Ltd, has coal stocks for only 8.5 days at its power plants, the company's management said in an investor and analyst call on October 28.

Per government stocking norms, there ought to be 20 to 26 days of coal in non-pithead plants, and 12 to 17 days of the fuel in pithead power plants.

"Right now, the coal stock at (non-pithead) NTPC stations is around 8.5 days. The coal stock at pithead stations is lesser. The situation is a bit tight at the moment," NTPC's management said during the call.

The management, however, added that the situation is likely to improve from the end of this month thanks to higher production, which was affected during the monsoons, which are now over.