Oct 9 Reuters India39;s coalfired power output fell for a second straight month in September on an annual basis due to slower growth in electricity use and a surge in solar generation, a Reuters review of data from the federal grid regulator showed.

The decline reflects a shift in fuel use patterns in the world39;s fastest growing major economy and thirdlargest greenhouse gas emitter. It follows 47 straight months of yearoveryear growth in coal use for power generation.

Electricity use in India has been rising since the pandemic due to a surging economy as well as heatwaves. However, higher rainfall during this year39;s monsoon reduced airconditioning demand and weighed on power consumption, analysts say.

Total power generated from plants running on coal and lignite fell 5.8 annually in September and 4.9 in August, data from staterun GridIndia showed, compared with a 10 growth during the first seven months of the year.

Slowing growth in overall power demand, which grew 1.1 yearoveryear during the September quarter compared with a 9.7 increase during the first half of the year, has helped the country reduce coal use.

Heavy September rainfall in the west and north resulted in lower power demand, CRISIL, a unit of ratings agency SP, said in a recent note.

Meanwhile, higher installations boosted solar power generation up by 26.4 annually in September the highest rate of growth in 12 months pushing the share of renewable energy in India39;s electricity output to a…