Mumbai, Oct. 14 -- Coal stocks at domestic coal-based power plants have remained above 18 mn t since September 29, with inventories standing at 18.205 mn t on October 10, compared with 18.932 mn t on September 29. The stability indicates that coal supplies have broadly kept pace with daily consumption at generating stations.
Supplies to plants with critically low inventories are being monitored, while coal is being redistributed to vulnerable stations according to their requirements. The measures are intended to maintain adequate availability and support uninterrupted power generation across the country. Stocks increased on October 2 and October 10, by 0.024 mn t and 0.017 mn t respectively.
The Ministry of Coal said stocks declined by about 7.28 mn t in September, an average reduction of 0.24 mn t a day. During the first 10 days of October, the decline slowed to 0.56 mn t, or about 0.06 mn t a day, indicating a substantial moderation in depletion compared with the previous month.
The improvement followed higher rake loading for the power sector. An average of 469 rakes was supplied daily between October 1 and October 10, up from 426 rakes a day in September, representing an increase of about 10 per cent. Daily loading during the period ranged from 447 to 482 rakes.
Average daily coal supply to the power sector rose to 2.49 mn t in October from 2.21 mn t in September. Supply exceeded the planned daily level of 2.37 mn t on nine of the first 10 days of the month. The Ministry is coordinating with Coal India, SCCL, the Ministry of Railways and power utilities to sustain coal evacuation and deliveries. It also acknowledged Indian Railways' support in facilitating coal movement to thermal power plants.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.