India's power crunch deepens as 96 coal plants face fuel shortages

Benchmarks Nifty23,111.80222.85FEATURED FUNDS★★★★★UTI Aggressive Hybrid Fund Regular Plan-Growth5Y Return8.7 % Invest NowFEATURED FUNDS★★★★★Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth5Y Return18.39 % Invest NowEnter search text:

The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Read Today's Paper India's power crunch deepens as 96 coal plants face fuel shortagesBy ReutersLast Updated: Oct 21, 2026, 09:42:00 AM ISTSynopsis

India's coal-fired power plants are currently experiencing critical fuel shortages due to rising energy demands. This surge in electricity usage is attributed to unusually hot weather and insufficient hydroelectric output. The Central Electricity Authority has reported a significant increase in the number of plants with low coal stocks. Despite escalating power demands, coal supply has fallen by approximately 5% this month.

New Delhi: Half of India's 191 coal-fired power plants are operating with critically low fuel stocks due to a surge in power demand amid hotter-than-usual weather linked to El Nino, government data showed.

* The number of power plants with critically low coal stocks - which only have enough fuel supply to generate power for less than three days - rose to 96 as of October 19 from 60 plants in mid-September, data from the Central Electricity Authority showed

Also Read: India’s coal capacity plans face a major rethink as power demand soars

* The shortages are occurring even as India's coal ministry said last week that it has ramped up supplies to power plants

* India's total coal stocks at power stations have fallen by about 5% since the beginning of the month, the data showed

Live Events

* Daily peak electricity demand this year has been running about 45 gigawatts to 50 GW higher than a year earlier, partly because weaker monsoon rains reduced hydroelectric output and increased reliance on thermal plants

* In September, the gap between India's power demand and electricity supply increased to 560 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), the highest since August 2023, even as coal-fired plants increased output to meet strong demand

* Coal-fired generation rose 13.3% in September from a year earlier, while hydropower generation fell 20% from a year ago, the CEA data showed

* India is adding renewable energy, with nearly 55% of power generation coming from non-fossil-based sources, but a lack of batteries to save the clean energy is driving the South Asian nation to depend on coal-based power during high-demand periods
Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read More News onIndia power crisiscoal plant fuel shortageelectricity demand surge IndiaEl Nino impact on powerrenewable energy in India

(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

...moreless
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read More News onIndia power crisiscoal plant fuel shortageelectricity demand surge IndiaEl Nino impact on powerrenewable energy in India

(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

...morelessContinue reading with one of these options:Limited AccessFreeLogin to get access to some exclusive stories
& personalised newslettersLogin NowUnlimited AccessStarting @ Rs120/monthGet access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &
in-depth stock reportsSubscribe NowET

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Login using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only OfferAlready a Member? Sign In nowAlready a Member? Sign In nowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail OfferAvail OfferClaim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004'; }); } if(listing) { var h3 = "You tried reading " + listArr.length + " locked stories in the past " + threshold + " days.", h4 = "Become an ET Prime member and don't miss out on these exclusive stories."; var html = '

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

'; $('#paidSCWidget').html(html); var callback = $('#paidSCWidget').attr('data-callback'); if(callback && window[callback]) { window[callback](); } customDimension.dimension72 += ' | Shown SYFT no Trial_With Missed Paywalled Articles Collection'; } else { _processNormal() } } }); } else { _processNormal(); } } catch (e) { _processNormal(); } }, function () { _processNormal(); }); //console.log('storyCollectionLoad', $); }

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with
in-depth insights that matter

• Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

  What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising

• Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

  Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?

• Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

  The problem with lab grown diamonds

• Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

  A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year

2Invest Wisely With Smart Market Tools & Investment Ideas

Alpha Trade

Get daily trade ideas from SEBI-registered research analysts.

Investment Ideas

Grow your wealth with stock ideas & sectoral trends.

Stock Reports Plus

All-in-one stock research with Stock Score, peer comparison & key signals.

BigBull Portfolio

Get to know where the market bulls are investing to identify the right stocks.

Stock Analyzer

Check the score based on the company's fundamentals, solvency, growth, risk & ownership to decide the right stocks.

Market Mood

Analyze the market sentiments & identify the trend reversal for strategic decisions.

Stock Talk Live at 9 AM Daily

Ask your stock queries & get assured replies by ET appointed, SEBI registered experts.

3Stay informed anytime, anywhere with ET ePaper

ePaper - Print View

Read the PDF version of ET newspaper. Download & access it offline anytime.

ePaper - Digital View

Read your daily newspaper in Digital View & get it delivered to your inbox everyday.

Wealth Edition

Manage your money efficiently with this weekly money management guide.

TOI ePaper

Read the PDF version of TOI newspaper. Download & access it offline anytime.

Deep Explainers

Explore the In-depth explanation of complex topics for everyday life decisions.

Health+ Stories

Get fitter with daily health insights committed to your well-being.

Personal Finance+ Stories

Manage your wealth better with in-depth insights & updates on finance.

5Enjoy Complimentary Subscriptions From Top Brands

Stream new documentaries from all across the world every day.

Stories you might be interested in