The Ministry of Coal has plans to produce 1404 million tonne (MT) of coal by year 2027 and 1577 MT by year 2030, at current level production of about one billion tonne per annum.  The coal to be supplied to domestic coal-based power plant is around 821 MT for the current year.

The Ministry of Coal has taken note of the additional coal requirement for supplying to additional 80 GW thermal capacity to be added in the country by 2030.  The coal requirement for additional thermal capacity would be around 400 MT at 85% PLF, and the actual requirement may be lower depending on the generation requirements in the coming times due to contributions from renewable sources.

Ministry of Coal has plans to produce additional quantity of coal in its production enhancement plan and  will ensure adequate availability of domestic coal to thermal power plants.

Production plan includes opening of new mines, expansion of mines capacity and production from captive/commercial mines.  All these three operational components are contributing and have clear plans for further enhancement.   The production plans for year 2027 and 2030 will far exceed the likely domestic requirement of thermal power plants in the country, including that for likely additional capacity.

As regards coal situation for the current year, stocks have started building up and the coal stock at the thermal power plants is now around 20 MT and at the mines it is 41.59MT. The total stock (including transit and captive mines) is 73.56 MT as compared to 65.56 MT during last year, showing growth of 12% (year-on-year).

The Ministries of Coal, Power and Railways are working in close co-ordination.  Accordingly smooth coal supplies have been maintained.  It is to be noted that lowest TPP stock for this year was on 16.10.23, thereafter stock building at thermal power plants and mine end has started building up.   The growth in power generation for domestic coal based plant is 8.99% while the growth in coal production is 13.02% on yearly basis (till date). It is further to be noted that during last three months, demand for thermal power has grown over 20% of last year.

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BY/RKP