INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Surge in power demand and high global coal prices have left utilities scampering for coalThe country's electricity demand grew 4.9 per
cent during the first half of October, with supply falling short of demand by 1.4 per cent despite a 3.2 per cent rise in coal-fired
generation and 30 per cent rise in solar output, a Reuters analysis of government data showed.Increased economic activity after the second
wave of the coronavirus has driven up electricity demand, resulting in a supply deficit due to a coal shortage that has forced northern
states to cut power this month for up to 14 hours a dayThe rapid surge in power demand and high global coal prices have left utilities
scampering for coal - India's dominant source of power generation - despite record supplies from state-run Coal India, a near-monopoly in
ministry data shows.The average coal inventory held by power plants would last four days, two-thirds lower than an average of 12 days two
months ago.The energy hungry nation's power minister had in early September asked officials to consider diverting coal to power plants
with extremely depleted stocks, and reduce inventory targets to 10 days from 14 days, to allow coal to be moved to areas of greatest
shortage.A reallocation in coal supplies over the last two months has led to an increase in the number of power plants with 1-3 days of
fuel, while the number of power plants with over a week of stock has declined, the power ministry data shows.Still, the number of utilities
with no coal left increased to 18 on Oct 12 from 1 on August 12.
