The Coal Ministry has confirmed that there is an abundant supply of coal for thermal power plants (TPPs) in the country. As of July 16, the end coal stock at TPPs stands at 33.46 million tonnes (MT), which is 28 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

The total availability of coal, including pithead coal stock at mines, stock in transit, and at TPPs, is 103 MT, marking a 34 percent increase from last year's 76.85 MT. The ministry is closely coordinating with Central and State Generation Companies (Gencos) to ensure that there is no shortage of coal for the power sector.

The Coal Ministry also highlighted that coal production in July 2023 has been significantly higher than the corresponding period last year, with minimal impact from rains. This has been achieved through careful planning at the mine level for the monsoon season.

To ensure uninterrupted coal evacuation, coal companies have constructed cemented roads. Mechanized coal handling plants have also been implemented to transport coal from nine coal mines to railway sidings. Moreover, coal companies have extracted coal from upper seams, resulting in a production of 258.57 MT from April 1 to July 16, 2023, compared to 236.69 MT last year.

Coal dispatches to the power sector during this period reached 233 MT, an increase from 224 MT last year. In fact, due to ample availability, coal companies have supplied significant additional quantities to the non-regulated sector. It is noteworthy that while thermal power generation has grown by only 2.04 percent this year, coal production has increased by over nine percent.

The Ministry of Railways is ensuring the availability of sufficient railway rakes for coal transportation to all subsidiaries, guaranteeing an ample supply of coal stocks to thermal power plants. The Ministries of Coal, Railways, and Power are working closely together to ensure the continued availability of coal for all thermal power plants.

The Coal Ministry clarified that no power plant has been closed due to a lack of coal availability. Any closures that have occurred must be attributed to other reasons unrelated to coal availability.