Coal Ministry Guarantees Sufficient Coal for thermal power plants

The coal ministry guaranteed thermal power plants sufficient coal reserves to allow continuous electricity production. Coal stocks in thermal power plants totaled a healthy 33.46 million tonnes on July 16, up 28% year-on-year (yoy).

Both central and state power generators have received more supplies.

Rains had little effect on coal production in July, according to the ministry, thanks to rigorous preparation at mine level for the monsoon season. Companies have begun building cemented highways to allow continuous coal removal from larger mines.

In addition, the transport of nine coal mines to railway yards has begun via mechanized coal transhipment plants. As a result, coal production rose to 258.57 million tonnes from April 1 to July 16, above last year's production of 236.69 million tonnes.

At the same time, coal shipments to the electricity industry amounted to 233 million tonnes at that time, compared to 224 million tonnes the year before. The surplus availability has allowed coal companies to supply large additional quantities to the unregulated sector.

While thermal energy production increased by 2.04% this year, coal production increased at a rate of more than 9%. The ministries of coal, railways and energy work closely together to ensure that sufficient coal is available for all thermal energy units.

The ministry stated that no power plants have been closed due to a lack of coal.