India faces fuel shortages at nearly 40% of coal power plants amid heatwave

Data from the Central Electricity Authority indicate that 74 of India's coal-powered stations are now running with critically low fuel inventories, defined as less than a quarter of the required stock or enough for under three days of generation. This marks a sharp increase from roughly 60 plants a week earlier and coincides with peak electricity demand staying between 230 and 250 gigawatts over the past week, after hitting a record 270.70 gigawatts in May.

Analysts at Crisil attribute the depletion to a temporary logistical bottleneck rather than a deeper supply constraint, noting that the coal and railway ministries have stepped up shipments following erratic monsoon rains. Renewable generation has grown about 21% from April to August, yet its intermittent nature keeps coal plants essential for round-the-clock power. In August, coal imports surged to a 15-month high as utilities turned to costly overseas supplies to meet the heatwave-driven demand.