New Delhi, Sept. 19 -- Coal inventories at India's thermal power plants fell nearly 42 per cent year-on-year to 29 million tonnes in August 2026 from 50 million tonnes a year earlier, reducing fuel cover to just nine days, according to Crisil.

The stock cover was the lowest in 34 months since November 2023, as coal-fired power generation rose 13 per cent amid strong electricity demand.

Demand Surge Drains Coal Stocks

Electricity demand increased 9.5 per cent during April-August, driven by a hot summer and an erratic southwest monsoon, with cumulative rainfall during June-August 13 per cent below the long-period average, reported Economic Times.

Although renewable generation grew 20.7 per cent, its intermittent nature meant coal-based ...