India’s Coal Supply Increases: Ministry of Coal Ensures Sufficient Stock for Power Plants

As of June 29, India’s domestic coal-based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) have 44.46 million tonnes (MT) of coal, which can last for about 18.5 days at the current usage rate, according to the Ministry of Coal. This stock is 33% more than what was available at the same time last year.

Coal production in the first quarter of this year grew by 10.58%, and coal supply increased by 8.50%. To prepare for the monsoon season, the Ministry has ensured there are 98.67 MT of coal available at mine sites, including coal in transit, as of June 30, 2024. This is 33.5% more than last year.

Currently, TPPs have 68% of the coal they ideally need, compared to about 50% at the same time last year. There was no coal shortage at domestic coal-based TPPs during the fiscal year 2023-24, and the coal stock at TPPs was over 47 MT as of March 31, 2024. The Ministry plans to maintain similar high stock levels this year at both TPPs and mine sites.

Additionally, as of June 29, 2024, the number of coal transport rakes (trainloads) per day has increased by 10.54% compared to last year. This indicates that there is enough coal to meet the needs of all domestic coal-based TPPs during the monsoon season. The Coal, Railways, and Power Ministries are working together to ensure sufficient coal supply.

A week ago, Union Ministry of Coal and Mines, G Krishan Reddy, directed officials to review the management of captive and commercial coal blocks for faster operationalisation of auctioned coal mines. The Ministry has also initiated India’s first-ever pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara District, Jharkhand. This project aims to convert coal into valuable gases such as methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide through in-situ gasification.