Nearly one-third of India's coal-fired power plants were operating with critically low fuel stocks as of September 9, Reuters reported, with 59 plants holding less than a quarter of the required inventory or roughly three days of supply.
The stress reflects a combination of high temperatures, strong power demand, reduced hydro support and limited battery storage. Solar generation helps during daylight hours, but evening peaks still require dispatchable capacity from coal, gas or hydro.
India has increased coal transport and mine-side dispatches. The episode highlights a structural transition challenge: adding renewable capacity is not enough unless grid flexibility, storage, transmission and fuel logistics improve at the same time.