Coal stocks at power plants stay above 18 MT as October supply improves
Why in the news
The Ministry of Coal said on 12 October 2026 that coal stocks at power plants have stayed steady above 18 million tonnes (MT), and the fall in stocks has slowed sharply as supply improved in October.
Key facts
- Stock level: above 18 MT every day since 29 September 2026 (18.932 MT that day) and 18.205 MT on 10 October.
- Drawdown slows: stocks fell about 7.28 MT in September (around 0.24 MT a day) but only 0.56 MT during 1-10 October (around 0.06 MT a day).
- Stock additions: small rises of 0.024 MT on 2 October and 0.017 MT on 10 October.
- Rake loading: averaged 469 rakes a day in 1-10 October against 426 a day in September, roughly 10% higher; daily loading ranged from 447 to 482 rakes.
- Supply to power sector: 2.49 MT a day in October against 2.21 MT a day in September.
- Target: 2.37 MT a day; supply beat it on 9 of the first 10 days of October.
| Indicator | September 2026 | 1-10 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Fall in plant stocks | about 7.28 MT | 0.56 MT |
| Average daily drawdown | 0.24 MT | about 0.06 MT |
| Average rakes loaded per day | 426 | 469 |
| Supply to power sector per day | 2.21 MT | 2.49 MT |
About coal and power
Coal remains the main fuel for India’s thermal power stations, and railway rakes carry most of it from mines to plants. Stocks at plants are tracked daily to avoid shortages during periods of high power demand.
Exam angle
- Remember the 18 MT stock level and the 2.37 MT per day supply target.
- A rake is a full freight train load; rake loading is a key measure of coal movement.
- Coal data is released by the Ministry of Coal through PIB.