India staring at power crisis with coal stocks down to days
3 years, 2 months ago

India staring at power crisis with coal stocks down to days

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — An energy crisis is looming over India as coal supplies grow perilously low, adding to challenges for a recovery in Asia’s third largest economy after it was wracked by the pandemic. Out of India’s 135 coal plants, 108 were facing critically low stocks, with 28 of them down to just one day’s worth of supply, according to power ministry data released on Wednesday, the most recently available. On average, coal supplies at power plants had fallen to about four days worth of stock as of the weekend, the ministry said in a statement. Coal prices in Indonesia, one of India’s suppliers, swelled to nearly $162 per ton this month from $86.68 in April, boosted by surging demand in China, where recent power cuts have forced factories to shut down and left some households in the dark.

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India stocking up coal for high power demand, aims 50 mn tn inventory at plants by April
1 week, 5 days ago

India stocking up coal for high power demand, aims 50 mn tn inventory at plants by April

Live Mint  

New Delhi: Amid growing power demand, the Union coal ministry plans to stock up on coal with a higher opening stock of about 50 million tonnes at thermal power plants by April 2026, said two people in the know of the developments. Currently, the stock of coal domestic coal based thermal power plants stands at 37.61 million tonnes. The ministry's …

India’s coal imports rise to 90.5 MT amid surge in power demand
2 months, 4 weeks ago

India’s coal imports rise to 90.5 MT amid surge in power demand

Live Mint  

New Delhi: India's coal imports during the April-July period of the current fiscal increased 0.9% to reach 90.51 million tonnes compared with 89.68mt in same period last fiscal, the coal ministry said on Wednesday. "This decline underscores India’s steadfast commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in coal production and reducing reliance on imports," it said, adding that coal imports by the non-regulated …

India's coal imports rise to 90.5 MT amid surge in power demand
2 months, 4 weeks ago

India's coal imports rise to 90.5 MT amid surge in power demand

Live Mint  

New Delhi: India's coal imports during the April-July period of the current fiscal increased 0.9% to reach 90.51 million tonnes compared with 89.68mt in same period last fiscal, the coal ministry said on Wednesday. "This decline underscores India’s steadfast commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in coal production and reducing reliance on imports," it said, adding that coal imports by the non-regulated …

India has pushed hard for solar. But as its billions demand more power, coal always gets the call
4 months, 2 weeks ago

India has pushed hard for solar. But as its billions demand more power, coal always gets the call

Associated Press  

BENGALURU, India — India Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the midst of a monthslong reelection campaign this April when he took to social media to trumpet a “remarkable feat!” and a “historic milestone” for his country: crossing 1 billion metric tons of coal and lignite production. It was proof, Modi said, of India’s “commitment to ensuring a vibrant coal …

India's solar output grows at slowest pace in six years in first half of 2024
5 months, 3 weeks ago

India's solar output grows at slowest pace in six years in first half of 2024

Hindustan Times  

By Sudarshan Varadhan and Cassandra Yap India's solar output grows at slowest pace in six years in first half of 2024 SINGORE, - India's solar power generation grew at the slowest pace in six years in the first half of 2024, an analysis of data from the federal grid regulator showed, as the country further stepped up reliance on coal …

India asks utilities to order $33 billion in equipment this year to boost coal power output, sources say
5 months, 3 weeks ago

India asks utilities to order $33 billion in equipment this year to boost coal power output, sources say

Hindustan Times  

By Sarita Chaganti Singh India asks utilities to order $33 billion in equipment this year to boost coal power output, sources say NEW DELHI - India has asked power companies to order equipment worth $33 billion this year to fast track capacity additions of coal-fired power in the years ahead, as the South Asian nation struggles to meet booming electricity …

India's coal dependence for power to be highest in nine years as heatwaves intensify
6 months ago

India's coal dependence for power to be highest in nine years as heatwaves intensify

Hindustan Times  

India will use more coal for generating electricity this year than it has in almost a decade, to cope with surging electricity demand, Bloomberg reported. Representational The country expects to add 15.4 gigawatts in the financial year 2024-25, the most in nine years, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Coal still generates about three-quarters of India’s electricity, and the …

Scorching heat drives India's gas-fired power use to multi-year highs in May
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Scorching heat drives India's gas-fired power use to multi-year highs in May

Hindustan Times  

By Sudarshan Varadhan and Sarita Chaganti Singh Scorching heat drives India's gas-fired power use to multi-year highs in May NEW DELHI - Sweltering heat and policy measures are fuelling a surge in the use of gas-fired power in India, with imports of liquefied natural gas forecast to rise sharply over the next two years, industry officials and experts say. An …

Understanding India’s coal imports
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Understanding India’s coal imports

The Hindu  

The spectre of electricity shortages rises again as hot weather descends across the country. A recent Ministry of Power advisory corroborates this, saying “supplies of domestic coal will remain constrained due to various logistical issues associated with railway network”. It is convenient, as some might say, for such advisories to be interpreted as mandates by many coal-based generators since the …

Coal stocks at comfortable level to meet peak summer demand, says official
9 months ago

Coal stocks at comfortable level to meet peak summer demand, says official

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: The country’s coal stocks are at comfortable levels to meet the demand during the peak summer season, said a senior official from the coal ministry. Additionally, the National Power Portal reports that coal stocks at power plants with capacities exceeding 189 GW stood at 45.48 MT as of March 16. “Even though power demand is likely to increase, …

Coal power generation up 10.13% during April to December 2023
11 months ago

Coal power generation up 10.13% during April to December 2023

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: The country’s coal-fired power generation showed significant growth of nearly 10.13% from April to December 2023 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. As per the coal ministry, the domestic coal-based power generation from April to December 2023 rose by 7.14% to 872 billion units, up from 813.9 BU generated in the corresponding period last year. …

Fired up and plugged in – Driving India’s energy security and decarbonisation this decade
11 months ago

Fired up and plugged in – Driving India’s energy security and decarbonisation this decade

The Hindu  

As India throttles to become the fastest-growing economy in the coming years, it will have to grow in the wake of a global agreement at COP-28 to phase down unabated coal. But to keep the economy powered while decarbonising, the country will have to use its existing assets better to cater to growing demand, while simultaneously limiting exposure to new …

Core signals: Coal output growth at six-month low in December
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Core signals: Coal output growth at six-month low in December

The Hindu  

India’s coal output growth slid to a six-month low of 10.75% in December 2023, with production levels nearing 93 million tonnes, as per data released by the Coal ministry on Tuesday. Core sectors’ growth is also expected to slow between December 2023 and February 2024, owing to base effects from the previous year and the coal sector numbers for December …

Two thermal plants in Punjab running out of coal
1 year, 1 month ago

Two thermal plants in Punjab running out of coal

Hindustan Times  

Two of the five thermal power plants in the state are facing acute shortage of coal. Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Power Plant has coal stock enough for 21 days; Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant in Lehra Mohabbat in Bathinda has stock for 11.8 days; and Rajpura Thermal Power Plant has 12 days of coal left. Before this crisis of short …

India's power consumption grows by over 16% to 151.66 billion units in August
1 year, 3 months ago

India's power consumption grows by over 16% to 151.66 billion units in August

The Hindu  

The country's power consumption grew by over 16% to 151.66 billion units in August this year compared to that of the same month last year mainly due to increase usage of cooling appliances during sultry weather. In the year-ago period, power consumption stood at 130.39 billion units, higher than 127.88 BU in August 2021, according to the government data. They …

India boosts coal use to stop power outages as hydroelectricity output falls
1 year, 3 months ago

India boosts coal use to stop power outages as hydroelectricity output falls

Live Mint  

With an aim to stop outages caused by lower hydroelectricity output, India has stepped up the use of coal to generate electricity as an increase in renewables is struggling to keep pace with record power demand, according to Reuters reports. Hence, the driest August has resulted in power generation surging to a record 162.7 billion kilowatt hours, a Reuters analysis …

India coal production rises 8.55% to record 223.36 million tonne in Q1FY24
1 year, 5 months ago

India coal production rises 8.55% to record 223.36 million tonne in Q1FY24

Live Mint  

New Delhi: India’s coal production grew 8.55% year-on-year to 223.36 million tonne during the June ended quarter of fiscal 2023-24, the ministry of coal said in a statement on Friday. “India’s coal sector achieved a remarkable milestone in the first quarter of FY 2023-24, by recording highest ever coal production at 223.36 million tonne, representing a substantial growth of 8.55% …

Business Matters | Why is the rising cost of coal-fired power plants good news for India?
1 year, 7 months ago

Business Matters | Why is the rising cost of coal-fired power plants good news for India?

The Hindu  

Why is the rising cost of coal-fired power plants good news for India? It said that achieving net zero – which India aims to reach by 2070 – will require adjustments to how people live, work, and move around—and some of these changes will be costly. First, India expects to increase investments in coal-fired power plants to help power economic …

As summer looms, India orders coal power plants to max out
1 year, 8 months ago

As summer looms, India orders coal power plants to max out

The Hindu  

For the second year in a row, India’s government has ordered the nation’s coal-fired power plants to run at full power. India “has to ensure there is energy security as this is critical for the country’s development and growth,” said Alok Kumar, the most senior official in India’s federal power ministry. “There is a strong political incentive to ensure regular …

As summer looms, India orders coal power plants to max out
1 year, 8 months ago

As summer looms, India orders coal power plants to max out

Associated Press  

BENGALURU, India — For the second year in a row, India’s government has ordered the nation’s coal-fired power plants to run at full power. India “has to ensure there is energy security as this is critical for the country’s development and growth,” said Alok Kumar, the most senior official in India’s federal power ministry. “There is a strong political incentive …

Analysis | India cheers the return of 'King Coal' as industry sees buoyant future
1 year, 9 months ago

Analysis | India cheers the return of 'King Coal' as industry sees buoyant future

The Hindu  

India's coal industry celebrated the return of its major conference after a three-year pandemic hiatus by presenting a bullish view of demand, rising supply from new mines and strong demand for imports. Increased output The reality is that India has successfully increased domestic coal output, with official government figures released last week showing production in the first 10 months of …

India to boost coal imports this year to cope with harsh weather, freight snags: Report
1 year, 11 months ago

India to boost coal imports this year to cope with harsh weather, freight snags: Report

Hindustan Times  

India's power utilities will likely boost coal imports this year to cope with surges in demand, made worse over the past year by extreme temperatures, and with freight bottlenecks that are disrupting domestic coal supplies, analysts and officials said. Coal imports by Indian utilities more than doubled to 42 million tonnes during the first eight months of this fiscal year …

India expects utilities' annual coal demand to surge about 8% after renewables shortfall
1 year, 11 months ago

India expects utilities' annual coal demand to surge about 8% after renewables shortfall

The Hindu  

India expects its power plants to burn about 8% more coal in the fiscal year ending March 2024, according to a senior government official and a Power Ministry presentation, after the country missed its 2022 renewable-energy goal by more than 30%. India expects utilities' coal demand to reach 821 million tonnes in 2023-24, according to the presentation. India is expected …

India asks utilities to import 6% of their coal for nine months
1 year, 11 months ago

India asks utilities to import 6% of their coal for nine months

Live Mint  

India's power ministry has asked utilities to import 6% of their coal requirement until September, according to a letter seen by Reuters, warning that domestic supplies could be curtailed if import targets are not met. Estimated domestic coal supply of 392 million tonnes during the six months to the end of September is expected to fall short of demand by …

Promoting efficiency in power generation in India
2 years ago

Promoting efficiency in power generation in India

Hindustan Times  

India is experiencing a surge in power demand owing to an expanding economy. In the short term, however, focus should be on making coal-based plants work efficiently; power plants working on imported coal in India are crucial in this regard. This brief analyses the problems hindering the optimum operation of power plants working on imported coal. The continuous increase in …

India’s power units binge on coal, outpace Asia
2 years, 1 month ago

India’s power units binge on coal, outpace Asia

The Hindu  

India's coal-fired power output has increased much faster than any other country in the Asia Pacific since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, underscoring the challenges the world's third-largest greenhouse gas emitter faces in weaning its economy off of carbon. India's coal-fired power output increased more than 10% year-on-year from March to October to 757.82 terawatt hours, an analysis of government data …

India's coal production rises 12% in September
2 years, 2 months ago

India's coal production rises 12% in September

The Hindu  

The country's coal output rose a 12% to 57.93 million tonnes in September. "During September 2022, CIL, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd and captive mines/others registered a growth of 12.35%, 8.43% and 12.37% by producing 45.67 MT, 4.93 MT and 7.33 MT, respectively," as per the provisional statistics of the Coal Ministry. The dispatch of coal also went up marginally by …

With comfortable coal stocks, no power crisis this festive season, officials say
2 years, 3 months ago

With comfortable coal stocks, no power crisis this festive season, officials say

The Hindu  

India is unlikely to see a repeat of the 2021 energy crisis this festive season as coal-fired power stations across the country have comfortable levels of the fuel stock to meet electricity demand of the world's fastest expanding major economy. The revised norms mandated the coal stock of 17 days at pit head stations and 26 days at non-pit head …

India’s Energy-Environment Catch-22
2 years, 5 months ago

India’s Energy-Environment Catch-22

The Diplomat  

Rani, a domestic worker in New Delhi, travels 10-15 kilometers every day from her cramped urban slum in Goyla Dairy, Najafgarh, to high rise buildings in Dwarka. While India plans to reach carbon neutral status by 2070, extreme weather events like the recent heatwaves keep pushing India’s energy sector to depend on traditional coal in the absence of enough renewable …

India to import 76 mt coal; will spark power tariff hike
2 years, 5 months ago

India to import 76 mt coal; will spark power tariff hike

Live Mint  

India has firmed up a plan to import around 76 million tonnes of coal to help plug a fossil fuel shortfall at its power plants in the current financial year. With the monsoon expected to affect India’s coal production and supplies to power plants in August and September, state-run Coal India Ltd will import 15 mt to supply to power …

Data | Coal demand-supply mismatch, rising prices and mounting debts plague thermal power generators
2 years, 6 months ago

Data | Coal demand-supply mismatch, rising prices and mounting debts plague thermal power generators

The Hindu  

On June 10, India’s power demand touched a record high of 211 GW even as the coal shortage continued with coal stocks available only for eight days. As chart 2 shows, the coal imported by power plants declined to 27 MT in FY22 from 66.06 MT in FY17. Perennial bottlenecks The use of imported coal will also push up the …

India's power demand touches new high after jumping by 45,000 megawatt in a year
2 years, 6 months ago

India's power demand touches new high after jumping by 45,000 megawatt in a year

India TV News  

Highlights India's electricity demand on June 9 was recorded at an all-time high of 2,10,792 megawatts RK Singh said 1000s of villages that hadn't seen electricity in 70 yrs were provided connectivity The current coal shortage in India is a result of domestic production not keeping pace with demand Power demand of India : India's power demand in the year …

India's coal import declines to 209 MT in 2021-22 as domestic output jumps
2 years, 6 months ago

India's coal import declines to 209 MT in 2021-22 as domestic output jumps

Firstpost  

Coal imports, which had reached a peak of 248 MT in 2019-20, declined continuously during the next two years to 215 MT in 2020-21 and further to 209 MT in 2021-22 New Delhi: India’s coal import declined to 209 million tonnes in the financial year ended March 2022 as against 248 MT recorded in 2019-20, as per the government data …

Record renewable energy output helps India ease coal shortage in May
2 years, 6 months ago

Record renewable energy output helps India ease coal shortage in May

Live Mint  

Record green energy output reduced Indian dependence on coal in May, despite 23.5% growth in power demand, contributing to a rise in utilities' coal inventories, a Reuters analysis of government data showed. Surging supply from renewables will go some way towards mitigating India's coal shortage amid extraordinarily rapid growth in demand, which has forced the country to reopen mines and …

Record renewables output helps India ease coal shortage in May
2 years, 6 months ago

Record renewables output helps India ease coal shortage in May

The Hindu  

Record green energy output reduced Indian dependence on coal in May, despite a 23.5% growth in power demand, contributing to a rise in utilities' coal inventories, a Reuters analysis of government data showed. Surging supply from renewables will go some way towards mitigating India's coal shortage amid extraordinarily rapid growth in demand, which has forced the country to reopen mines …

Why does India face a recurring power shortage despite enough coal stock?
2 years, 6 months ago

Why does India face a recurring power shortage despite enough coal stock?

Business Standard  

India has the world’s fourth-largest coal reserve. The power ministry said the decision was taken after nearly all states suggested that multiple coal import tenders by states would lead to confusion and sought centralised procurement through Coal India. But the power ministry on Saturday asked states to suspend tenders that are "under process" Despite record production, Coal India’s supply has …

India expects lower rainfall in coal-producing areas, potentially easing power crisis
2 years, 6 months ago

India expects lower rainfall in coal-producing areas, potentially easing power crisis

Live Mint  

India expects rainfall in the biggest coal-producing areas of its east-central region to be below the long-term average this year, potentially easing utilities' coal shortages as there could be fewer disruptions to mining activity due to flooding. Higher rainfall in other parts of the country could increase hydro power generation and irrigation-driven electricity demand could be lower, easing pressure on …

India heading towards another power crisis in July-August: Report
2 years, 6 months ago

India heading towards another power crisis in July-August: Report

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: A lower pre-monsoon coal stock at thermal power plants in India is suggestive of another power crisis in July-August, independent research organisation CREA has said. "The data compiled from official sources suggest that the coal power plants are in no position to address even a minor spike in the power demand and there is a need to plan …

India heading towards another power crisis in July-August: Report
2 years, 6 months ago

India heading towards another power crisis in July-August: Report

India TV News  

A lower pre-monsoon coal stock at thermal power plants in India is suggestive of another power crisis in July-August, independent research organisation CREA has said. "The data compiled from official sources suggest that the coal power plants are in no position to address even a minor spike in the power demand and there is a need to plan for coal …

India to face wider coal shortages, worsening power outage risks
2 years, 6 months ago

India to face wider coal shortages, worsening power outage risks

The Hindu  

India is expected to face a wider coal shortage during the quarter ending September over expectations of higher power demand, an internal Power Ministry presentation seen by Reuters showed, worsening risks of widespread power outages. The energy-hungry nation expects local coal supply to fall 42.5 million tonnes short of demand in the September quarter, 15% higher than previously projected, due …

Coal India to open big, new mine this year to fight power crisis
2 years, 7 months ago

Coal India to open big, new mine this year to fight power crisis

The Hindu  

State-run Coal India will open this year what is expected to become one of the country's biggest coal mines, officials said, as India struggles to keep pace with surging power demand. Output from the new Siarmal mine in eastern Odisha state would rise gradually, reaching capacity of 50 million tonnes in about five to seven years, Vinayak Jamwal, spokesman for …

Why is India facing its worst power crisis in over six years?
2 years, 7 months ago

Why is India facing its worst power crisis in over six years?

Live Mint  

India is facing its worst power crisis in over six years as a heatwave bakes vast swathes of South Asia, causing widespread power outages. Many power plants ran out of fuel as a result of increasing output aggressively, with average coal stocks held by utilities at the lowest for this time of the year in at least 9 years. Despite …

Centre threatens to curb domestic coal supply if utilities delay imports
2 years, 7 months ago

Centre threatens to curb domestic coal supply if utilities delay imports

Live Mint  

India's power ministry on Wednesday said it would cut domestic fuel supply to state government-run utilities by 5% if they do not import coal for blending by June 15, as officials struggle to address rising power demand. A heatwave pushed power use to a record high in April, leading to the worst electricity crisis in more than six years and …

How are power outages affecting small industries in India?
2 years, 7 months ago

How are power outages affecting small industries in India?

Business Standard  

India’s small and medium businesses had only begun to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic followed by the geopolitical crisis, but the early onset of summer and recurring heat waves across north India paralysed them again. While the bigger, urban businesses are managing to sail through the crisis, small businesses and residents are not as fortunate.A series of …

Power crisis | Indian Railways missed Coal India train provision targets for over a year
2 years, 7 months ago

Power crisis | Indian Railways missed Coal India train provision targets for over a year

The Hindu  

Indian Railways supply of trains to Coal India for transporting coal has fallen short of its monthly targets for more than a year, government data showed, highlighting the problems behind India's worst power crisis in over six years. Inventories at Indian power plants fell 13% in April despite a 27.6% growth in Coal India's production, as a heatwave sent power …

India turns to expensive foreign gas to ease its power crisis
2 years, 7 months ago

India turns to expensive foreign gas to ease its power crisis

Deccan Chronicle  

Sweltering heat and ongoing blackouts are forcing India’s liquefied natural gas importers to top up with expensive shipments. Torrent Power Ltd. and GAIL India Ltd. bought LNG for May delivery in the last week, with the fuel set to be used to help power plants boost generation, according to traders with knowledge of the matter. While natural gas makes up …

Power shortage eases up but officials remain wary
2 years, 7 months ago

Power shortage eases up but officials remain wary

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: The power crisis in India has eased in the past two days. State-run Coal India achieved the highest production of 534.7 lakh tonne in April, showing 6.02% growth, the coal ministry said. But, in the first two days of May, the daily average peak demand was 197,835 MW, but the daily average shortage was just 990 MW, according …

India's coal production rises 28% to 66.1 million tonnes in April on strong demand from power sector
2 years, 7 months ago

India's coal production rises 28% to 66.1 million tonnes in April on strong demand from power sector

Firstpost  

As per the provisional data of the Ministry of Coal, the total offtake of the coal sector was 70.8 MT during the month, the power sector offtake touched 61.7 MT in April. At the same time, coal supplies to the power sector from Coal India alone stood at 49.7 MT New Delhi: India’s coal output soared by 28 per cent …

India sets end-June coal import targets as power woes mount
2 years, 7 months ago

India sets end-June coal import targets as power woes mount

The Hindu  

India has asked state and private sector utilities to ensure delivery of 19 million tonnes of coal from overseas by end-June, according to a Power Ministry letter, reflecting an urgency to secure supplies in a pricey market amid increasing blackouts. The federal government has asked state government-owned utilities to import over 22 million tonnes of coal and private power plants …

Heat wave sparks blackouts, questions on India’s coal usage
2 years, 7 months ago

Heat wave sparks blackouts, questions on India’s coal usage

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — An unusually early and brutal heat wave is scorching parts of India, with acute power shortages affecting millions as demand for electricity surges to record levels. Government rules mandate that power plants maintain 24 days’ worth of coal stocks, but many routinely don’t, said Vibhuti Garg, an energy economist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial …

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