India: Coal situation worsens at thermal stations

Nearly a third of the country’s thermal stations are now reported to be facing “critical stocks”, where coal stocks are expected to last less than seven days.

Of the 77 thermal stations in the country, 25 have now been bracketed as having “critical stocks”, of which 13 are reported to be “super critical”, with precariously low levels of coal stocks of under four days, according to the Government’s latest data on coal stock positions at power stations (up to May 5).
While a coal shortage has been brewing since the beginning of last year, domestic production is unlikely to be ramped up significantly in the near future. The import option is increasingly getting tougher as China, which is also facing low domestic reserves and acute power shortage, has stepped up coal purchases internationally.

The Hindu