Why has Coal India asked its subsidiaries to ramp up coal supplies to power plants?

Coal India has asked its subsidiaries to ramp up coal supplies to power plants to avoid shortages as India's power demand hits a record high due to an intense heatwave driven by an El Nino weather pattern, with several regions already facing power cuts—especially at night when renewable output is unavailable—and 21 power plants holding critically low coal stocks (enough for less than a week's demand).

What is the current status of coal stocks at power plants and mines, according to Coal India's latest data?

As of the latest data cited, Coal India held 168 million tons of coal in total, including 47.6 million tons at power plants—sufficient for 19 days' consumption—while coal stocks at mines stood at 113.5 million tons as of May 23, up about 10% from a year earlier.

Coal India asks units to ramp up supplies as heatwave fuels record power demand

May 26, 2026

State-run Coal India has ordered subsidiaries to boost coal dispatches as record power demand strains the grid during a severe heatwave. Twenty-one power plants face critically low stock levels, raising concerns over potential supply shortages across the grid.

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Coal India asks units to ramp up supplies as heatwave fuels record power demand

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