The Ministry of Power has stated that adequate coal availability is being maintained at thermal power plants across the country to meet electricity demand. As on July 12, 2026, a coal stock of 42.8 million tonnes (MT) is available at thermal power plants, which is sufficient for 14 days at 85% Plant Load Factor (PLF). Sufficient coal is also being received by thermal power plants at present to meet daily requirements.
The coal, including lignite-based generation capacity in the country, stands at about 230.8 GW, accounting for 69.54% of the total electricity supplied during April to June 2026. Further, the maximum generation achieved from such power plants during non-solar peak demand hours was about 188.8 GW, which is around 75% of the total generation of 251.4 GW.
The Ministry stated that the scheduled maintenance of thermal power units is planned in advance by considering the demand scenario for different months. As a standard practice, scheduled maintenance is minimised during peak demand months. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) further monitors and permits deferment on a case-to-case basis, depending on the technical parameters of the plant, if increased demand necessitates such action.
To facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into the electricity grid, the Central Electricity Authority (Flexible Operation of Coal based Thermal Power Generating Units) Regulations, 2023 were notified on January 30, 2023. The regulations mandate all coal-based thermal power generating units to achieve a minimum technical level of 40% as per the phased implementation plan specified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) from time to time.
The Government of India has taken various initiatives to support uninterrupted thermal power generation during peak demand periods. During FY 2025-26, 9,470 MW of thermal capacity was added, while an additional 2,260 MW has been commissioned during the current financial year.
Coal supply to thermal power plants is being monitored on a daily basis through a joint committee comprising the Ministry of Power, Railways, and the Ministry of Coal. Priority has also been accorded to coal rakes and coal dispatches to power houses.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), comprising the Chairman of the Railway Board, Secretary of the Ministry of Coal, and Secretary of the Ministry of Power, is being held regularly to closely review coal supplies to thermal power plants.
To supplement power generation by thermal plants during non-solar hours, about 2,669 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and 7,426 MW of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) have been commissioned till date. These Energy Storage Systems (BESS/PSP) store excess power generated during solar hours and utilise the stored electricity primarily during non-solar hours.
This information was provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Power, Shri Shripad Naik, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
