Coal shortage at thermal power projects is continuing as several non-pit head projects having less than four days of coal (supercritical stock) rose to 61 on Tuesday from 58 on Monday, media reported. According to the latest coal-stock data of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the number of non-pit head projects having less than four days of coal was 61 on October 19 and 58 on October 18.

The number of plants with supercritical stock was 65 last week (on October 12). Thus, the coal stock situation has improved eventually, but the crisis is continuing. The improvement, as well as a bit of deterioration in the coal stock situation, assumes significance given the ongoing shortage of dry fuel at thermal power plants in the country.

The Central Electricity Authority monitors the coal stock situation of 135 thermal power plants with a cumulative generation capacity of over 165 GW.

Also, the number of power plants with zero days of coal has come down to 15 as of Tuesday with a cumulative installed generation capacity of 15,080MW, compared to 18 with 18,630 MW capacity a week back.