Tue Feb 2, 2010 5:00pm GMT
HOUSTON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Coal stockpiles at U.S. power plants fell 1.3 percent this week but remained 12.6 percent greater than the same week last year, Genscape said Tuesday.
U.S. generators, which rely on coal to fuel about half of U.S. electricity production, had 61 days worth of coal on hand, one day less than last week, the power industry data provider said.
Companies averaged seven more days of coal stockpiled than the same week of 2009, the same year-over-year cushion as last week, Genscape said.
Genscape estimated power generators as of Monday had 159.7 million tons of coal, down from 161.8 million tons stockpiled on Jan. 25 but up from 141.9 million tons the same week last year.
The numbers reflect adjustments to the Genscape model and restatement of inventories for early 2009 due to distortions caused by unprecedented substitution of gas for coal in that period.
Inventories typically grow in spring and fall when demand for heating and cooling drops. Stockpiles usually shrink during summer and winter when demand rises for climate control in homes, stores and factories.
The past 12 months have been different due to the economic slowdown followed by signs of rebound. Winter also has been more severe this year.
Mathematical rounding sometimes affects the results, overstating some changes and understating others, Genscape has said. (Reporting by Bruce Nichols; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Source: http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN0224969520100202
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