Coal reserves at 50 Indian power plants fall to critical levels

Coal inventories at thermal power stations across India have fallen sharply, with stockpiles at 50 generating units now classified as critical, according to a report from timesofindia.indiatimes.com published on September 4, 2026.

The report indicates that the rapid depletion of coal reserves has become a pressing concern for power producers, who are struggling to maintain adequate fuel supplies to keep plants running. The situation has prompted renewed attention on how coal is managed and distributed among thermal generators, with thehindu.com separately highlighting coal stock management as a key operational challenge for the sector.

In response to the strain, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, a state-run coal miner, has been directed to raise its daily output to 190,000 tonnes, as reported by The New Indian Express and deccanchronicle.com. The production target is aimed at meeting surging electricity demand that has outpaced current coal supply.

The reports do not specify which plants are affected or the exact duration the existing stocks are expected to last. However, the designation of 50 units as critical suggests that their coal supplies are sufficient for only a limited number of days, typically a threshold used by Indian regulators to flag imminent shortages.

coal stocks

The development comes amid broader concerns about fuel availability in the power sector, with breakwaveadvisors.com noting ongoing issues around coal supply dynamics. The push to boost output from Singareni Collieries signals that authorities are treating the shortfall as urgent, though it remains unclear whether increased domestic production will be enough to stabilise inventories in the near term.

Observers will be watching whether the coal ministry announces further measures, such as priority rail allocations or imports, to avert potential power cuts in the coming weeks.