India is experiencing probably the driest rainy season in 17 years. Hydropower output is limited, and the peak electricity gap has already exceeded the level during this summer's heatwave. Hydropower generation declined 12% year-on-year in the first three weeks of September, and coal-fired power generation increased 18% this month. Coal consumption increased, and power plant inventories fell to a low of about three years as of September 21. Of the 196 power plants surveyed by the government, about 40% of coal stocks are at critical levels.

India is experiencing probably the driest rainy season in 17 years. Hydropower output is limited, and the peak electricity gap has already exceeded the level during this summer's heatwave. Hydropower generation declined 12% year-on-year in the first three weeks of September, and coal-fired power generation increased 18% this month. Coal consumption increased, and power plant inventories fell to a low of about three years as of September 21. Of the 196 power plants surveyed by the government, about 40% of coal stocks are at critical levels.