Business · India Bureau
Punjab power plants have adequate coal stocks, ministry says
India's coal ministry has ruled out inadequate supply as the reason for low power generation in Punjab, citing coal stocks at power plants at 114% of normative requirements as of mid-September.
LSN India ·
The coal ministry stated that Punjab's thermal power plants maintained coal inventories at 114% of the normative requirement on September 11, signaling that coal availability is not a constraining factor for power generation in the state.
With stocks well above the standard benchmark, the ministry's assertion suggests that other factors may be responsible for the state's lower power generation during the period. The normative requirement typically represents the minimum coal stock levels that power plants should maintain to ensure uninterrupted operations.
The statement comes as Punjab continues to grapple with power supply challenges. By pointing to adequate coal reserves, the ministry shifted focus to alternative explanations for generation shortfalls, which could include technical issues at plants, lower demand, or maintenance schedules.
The coal ministry's findings indicate that supply chain disruptions in coal deliveries have not significantly impacted Punjab's power sector, at least as of the data referenced. However, the state's power utilities will need to address underlying operational or demand-side factors to improve generation output.