Adequate coal is available at thermal power plants amidst high power demand: Govt

New Delhi [India], June 1 : The Ministry of Coal has confirmed that coal stocks at thermal power plants remain robust, ensuring a steady power supply across the nation. Current coal reserves at these plants exceed 45 million tonnes (MT), which is 30 per cent higher than the same period last year.
These reserves are sufficient to meet the power sector's needs for the next 19 days.
Meanwhile, Coal India Limited (CIL) reported in an exchange filing the total coal production of 64.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) for May 2024, reflecting a 7.5 per cent growth compared to the same period last year, which was 59.9 MMT.
Among its subsidiaries, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) produced the highest amount at 18.0 MMT, marking an 11.3 per cent growth.
However, May's production showed a decline from April 2024, which was 78.69 MT. Despite this, the overall growth in production from the previous year remains significant.
CIL's total coal offtake for May 2024 was 68.2 MMT, showing a 7.2 per cent increase compared to 63.7 MMT during the same period last year. This consistent increase in both production and offtake highlights the robust performance of the coal sector.
Throughout May 2024, thermal power plants experienced an average daily depletion of just 10,000 tonnes of coal. This low rate of depletion has been attributed to efficient logistics and supply chain management.
According to the press release by the Ministry of Coal, a Sub-Group mechanism, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, and power generating companies, has played a crucial role in maintaining this steady supply.
Coal production has seen an impressive growth rate of over 8 per cent compared to last year. Stockpiles at mine pit-heads have surpassed 100 MT, ensuring ample supply for the power sector.
The Ministry of Railways has facilitated this process by increasing the average daily availability of railway rakes by 9 per cent, which is vital for coal transportation.
In addition to rail transport, coal evacuation through coastal shipping has expanded significantly. Traditionally reliant on the Paradip port, coal is now being shipped through the Dhamra and Gangavaram ports as well.
This diversification results from coordinated efforts under the coal logistics policy, improving coal distribution efficiency.
Infrastructural upgrades in the railway network have substantially contributed to the faster movement of coal rakes, particularly along the Son Nagar to Dadri route, read the press release.
This has led to more than a 100 per cent improvement in the turnaround time of these rakes, further ensuring the steady flow of coal to power plants.
The Ministry of Coal is proactively preparing for the monsoon season, a period typically associated with logistical challenges in coal transportation.
By July 1, 2024, it is expected that coal reserves at thermal power plants will be maintained at over 42 MT, ensuring uninterrupted power generation during the rainy season.
These measures have been crucial in meeting record-high power demands. On May 30, 2024, the country achieved a remarkable peak power demand of 250 gigawatts (GW).
Additionally, Delhi recorded an all-time high power consumption of over 8,300 megawatts (MW), underscoring the effectiveness of the current coal supply and logistics strategies.
In April 2024, India's coal production reached 78.69 MT, marking a growth rate of 7.41 per cent compared to the previous year. CIL alone achieved a production of 61.78 MT, reflecting a 7.31 per cent increase.
Additionally, coal production by Captive/others in April 2024 stood at 11.43 MT, a robust growth of 12.99 per cent from the previous year.
India's coal dispatches for April 2024 reached 85.10 MT, a 6.07 per cent increase from the previous year. CIL dispatched 64.26 MT, with a growth of 3.18 per cent, while Captive/others recorded a significant dispatch growth of 26.90 per cent.