The Union Ministry of Coal announced on Monday that the nation’s coal stock as of 15 May 2024, stands at 147 million tonnes (mt), reflecting a substantial 25% year-on-year increase from 117mt on the same date in 2023.
This inventory encompasses coal at thermal power plants (TPPs), pitheads, and in transit. The Ministry highlighted that the coal stock at TPPs has seen a significant increase, with 45mt available as of 15 May, compared to 34.83mt last year, marking a 29% rise. Additionally, stock at Coal India’s pitheads has surged by 30% year-on-year, reaching 85mt.
This uptick in coal reserves coincides with a spike in power demand driven by the ongoing heatwave across various regions of India. Peak power demand on Saturday reached nearly 230 GW, hitting 229.5 GW, before easing to 218.4 GW on Sunday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will persist over the plains of northwest, east, and central India for the next five days, potentially pushing power demand even higher. In response to the escalating power requirements, the coal ministry has strategically planned to ensure robust coal stocks at TPPs ahead of the monsoon season, aiming to maintain adequate coal availability throughout the monsoon. The ministry reported that coal production this year has increased by 7.3% compared to the previous year. Correspondingly, thermal power generation has risen by 8.8%, and rake supplies have improved by 8.5%.
Improved infrastructure and increased utilisation of ports for coastal coal evacuation have enhanced logistics across the country, contributing to the efficient distribution of coal.
Given the prospects of record-high power demand, potentially peaking at 260 GW this summer, the power ministry has issued directives to all power generation companies to ensure sufficient power availability. Domestic coal-based power plants are instructed to continue blending 6% imported coal until June, while imported coal-based plants are mandated to operate at full capacity until October. These measures underscore the government’s proactive approach in addressing the heightened energy demand and ensuring the stability of power supply amidst challenging climatic conditions.
