Coal India, the state-owned coal mining company, plans to supply a total of 610 million tonne (mt) to the power sector in the financial year 2023-24, in order to meet the growing demand for coal-fired power plants in India. This figure is 4 percent higher than the record 586.6 mt supplied to power plants in the previous financial year (FY23). Coal India has set a production and off-take target of 780 mt for FY24, with 610 mt being programmed to meet the power sector’s demand.
The company has stated that it is ready to meet the power sector’s demand, which may increase due to a hot summer, with adequate coal stocks at pitheads and increased production in the hot period. The availability of coal for the non-regulated sector (NRS) will also increase significantly, with Coal India expecting better coal accessibility for NRS in FY24 than the previous year. Even if there is an unforeseen demand surge, the coal accessibility for the non-regulated sector will remain stable.
Coal India’s ability to meet the power sector’s demand is crucial for the Indian power sector which relies heavily on coal-fired power plants. The company’s projection to supply 610 mt to the power sector in FY24 is a positive development, as it would help to prevent any potential power shortages in the country.
