In a bid to address the burgeoning energy needs of the nation, the Ministry of Coal has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly enhance coal production in the coming years. According to the ministry’s projections, the aim is to produce 1,404 million tonnes of coal by 2027 and a staggering 1,577 million tonnes by 2030, surpassing the current annual production level of approximately one billion tonnes.
The initiative comes in response to the expected surge in demand for coal, driven by the addition of 80 gigawatts (GW) of thermal capacity in the country by 2030. The Ministry of Coal anticipates a coal requirement of around 400 million tonnes to cater to this additional thermal capacity, assuming an 85% Plant Load Factor (PLF). However, actual requirements may vary depending on the evolving landscape of power generation, especially with increasing contributions from renewable sources.
To achieve these production targets, the ministry’s comprehensive plan includes the opening of new mines, expanding the capacity of existing mines, and boosting production from captive and commercial mines. Each of these components has clear and strategic plans for further enhancement.
Addressing concerns about the current coal situation, the ministry reported that stocks have started to build up, with approximately 20 million tonnes at thermal power plants and 41.59 million tonnes at the mines. The total stock, inclusive of transit and captive mines, stands at 73.56 million tonnes, marking a 12% year-on-year growth compared to the previous year’s total of 65.56 million tonnes.
Collaboration among the Ministries of Coal, Power, and Railways has played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth supply of coal. Notably, the lowest thermal power plant stock this year was recorded on 16th October 2023, after which stockpiles at both thermal power plants and mines have been on the rise.
Remarkably, despite the challenges, the growth in power generation from domestic coal-based plants has reached 8.99%, while coal production has surged by 13.02% on a yearly basis, as of the latest available data. Over the last three months, the demand for thermal power has witnessed a remarkable uptick, soaring over 20% compared to the same period last year.
