Amidst the backdrop of India’s accelerating energy demands, the ministry of coal outlined a robust strategy to boost coal production to fuel the country’s ambitious thermal power expansion by 2030. With an additional 80 gigawatts of thermal capacity on the cards, the ministry is gearing up to meet an estimated coal demand of 400 million tonne, assuming an 85% plant load factor for the new power plants.
The strategy to bolster coal output includes a multi-pronged approach with the opening of new mines, the expansion of existing mine capacities, and the operationalization of captive and commercial mining ventures. This proactive blueprint is set to overshoot the anticipated coal requirements for the nation’s thermal power facilities.
In the current fiscal year, the domestic coal provision to power plants stands at 821 million tonnes. Observing the stockpile trends, there’s a positive report of coal inventory building up at power stations, now holding around 20 million tonnes, and at mining sites with 41.59 million tonnes in reserve. The total coal stock, inclusive of those in transit and from captive mines, has hit 73.56 million tonnes, marking a healthy 12% increase from the previous year.
The coordinated efforts of the ministries of coal, power, and railways have been central to ensuring the steady supply of coal. Notably, after hitting the lowest stock level on October 16, 2023, the coal reserves have seen a commendable replenishment.
The ministry has also shed light on the rise in power generation from coal-based plants by nearly 9% and a 13% uptick in coal production year-on-year. Additionally, the past three months have witnessed a more than 20% spike in thermal power demand over the previous year, underscoring the vital role of coal in India’s energy landscape.
