India's coal buffer drops 66% to a 3-year low as plants face pressure

Stocks at domestic coal-based power plants plunged 66% from 54.9 million tonnes at the start of April to 18.6 million tonnes by the end of September, marking a three-year low.

Officials cite rebuilding inventories by next March as the main concern amid a high-pressure situation driven by an absence of hydropower caused by rainfall deficits.

The government directed 112 captive coal-based power plants to operate at maximum capacity until December 31, while renewable companies plan to add 10 GW of battery storage capacity.