India is deferring the maintenance shutdown of around 10,000 MW of coal‑fired power capacity until July 2026 to ensure adequate electricity supply during the peak summer season, according to official statements issued on Friday, April 10, 2026. The move postpones the outage by about three months so that the maintenance of thermal units can be carried out after the high‑demand period, avoiding large‑scale power‑shortage risks.
Power ministry officials, including Additional Secretary Piyush Singh, have confirmed that the decision aims to maintain additional thermal‑generation availability during summer, when demand for electricity spikes due to cooling needs and industrial activity. Planned maintenance of selected coal‑fired units is being shifted to July, a period when the grid‑load pressure is expected to ease.
Officials have also highlighted that around 8,000 MW of gas‑fired power capacity is facing pressure due to higher fuel‑cost volatility linked to the Iran‑related conflict, which has pushed prices up and constrained the ability of gas‑based plants to operate at full load.
The Ministry of Power has been coordinating with state agencies and grid operators to monitor generation, transmission, and fuel‑supply parameters, with additional section‑11 directions issued to keep units running at higher capacity during the critical period.
Key highlights
India delays 10,000 MW coal‑plant maintenance.
Shutdown shifted to July for summer demand.
Extra 10,000 MW kept available in summer.
8,000 MW gas‑fired capacity hit by fuel costs.
Power ministry issues section‑11 directions to keep plants running.
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