CommoditiesMedium•1 October 2026•
1 min read
India Power Shortage Hits Three-Year High in September
Key Facts
1India's power shortfall surged to 560 million kilowatt-hours in September, the highest level since August 2023.
2Total electricity generation increased by 11.3% in September to 174.17 billion kWh.
India's power shortfall surged to 560 million kilowatt-hours in September 2026, marking the highest level since August 2023. Reuters reported that total electricity generation increased by 11.3% during the month to reach 174.17 billion kWh, yet this growth failed to keep pace with surging consumption.
The deficit was driven by increased demand from industrial sectors and El Niño weather patterns. According to Reuters data, coal-fired generation rose 13.3% year-over-year, while coal inventories at nearly 40% of operational plants have dropped to critically low levels below 25%.