India Faces Driest Monsoon in 17 Years: Hydropower Constrained, Power Gap Widens, Coal Stocks Run Low

【India Faces Driest Monsoon in 17 Years: Hydropower Constrained, Power Gap Widens, Coal Stocks Run Low】

(1) India is experiencing its driest monsoon in 17 years, limiting hydropower output, with peak power supply gaps exceeding levels seen during this summer's heatwave.

(2) In the first three weeks of September, hydropower generation fell 12% year-on-year; coal-fired power output rose 18% this month.

(3) With coal consumption increasing, plant inventories dropped to near three-year lows as of September 21.

(4) Among 196 power plants surveyed by the government, about 40% hold coal stocks at critical levels.