The availability of daily coal stock in Tamil Nadu has declined from 2 million tonnes on March 31 to 1.5 million tonnes on July 26, according to a report by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). This stock is sufficient to operate Tangedco's power plants for a duration of 10 days.

As disclosed by Union Power Minister R.K. Singh during the recent Parliament session, the coal stock at coal-based power plants across the country increased from 25.63 million tonnes on March 31, 2022, to 36.95 million tonnes on March 31, 2023. As of July 26, 2023, the stock had slightly decreased to about 34.97 million tonnes. Nevertheless, this amount is still adequate to sustain these plants for approximately 12 days with an 85% Plant Load Factor (PLF). Notably, Tangedco's coal stock was 0.5 million tonnes on March 31, 2022.

In the meantime, according to CEA's daily stock report, coal stock levels at Tangedco's Mettur Thermal Power Station, North Chennai Thermal Power Station, and Tuticorin Thermal Power Station had reached critical levels by August 11. If the coal stock at a thermal power plant falls below 25% of its required normative coal stock, it is labeled as critical. Mettur Thermal Power Station possessed merely 3% of its normative coal stock, while the North Chennai and Tuticorin power stations had 19% each, compared to their respective normative requirements. The inadequate supply from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and the Railways was cited as the reason for these critical levels.

Tamil Nadu holds the highest energy consumption among the southern states. The state observed an all-time peak demand of 19,387 MW on April 20, with a corresponding all-time high daily consumption of 423.785 million units. On August 12, the peak power demand in the state was 15,928 MW, and the daily consumption reached 345.834 million units.

Amidst the ongoing wind energy season and available solar generation, Tangedco may not face significant challenges due to the decline in coal stock. According to data from CEA, Tamil Nadu's cumulative renewable energy generation (wind and solar) in August (up to August 10) totaled 1,328.85 million units. Tangedco's existing thermal power stations (total capacity: 4,320 MW) require an annual coal supply of 223.4 LTPA (lakh tonnes per annum) at 85% PLF.

In the initial quarter of 2023-24, Coal India supplied 4.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of coal against Tangedco's pro-rated Annual Contracted Quantity of 4.65 MMT, as conveyed by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, and Mines, Pralhad Joshi, to Parliament last month.

According to the Railways, Mr. Singh stated in his written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha that there is a likely increase in coal transportation capacity by about 185 million tonnes during 2023-24 and 2024-25.