Coal news and updates

Centre aims 118 million tonne of domestic coal stock by March 2023

3 min read . Updated: 12 Jan 2023, 09:33 PM ISTLivemintThe country witnessed severe crisis situations in September-October 2021 and April-May 2022.

·         Coal secretary said that out of the total projected stock, 45 million tonne is estimated to be at the thermal power plants, 65 million tonne across the pitheads of Coal India and around 8 million tonne in transit

NEW DELHI : The union government aims to have a stock of around 118 million tonne of domestic coal in the country by the end of the current financial year (FY23) in a bid to avert a crisis situation during the peak power demand period of April-May, said Amrit Lal Meena, secretary, ministry of coal.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said that out of the total projected stock, 45 million tonne is estimated to be at the thermal power plants, 65 million tonne across the pitheads of Coal India and around 8 million tonne in transit.

Currently, the stock stands at about 72 million tonne comprising of 31 million tonne at thermal plants, 34 million tonne at the pithead of coal producers and 7 million million tonne in transit.

“We should try and see that 40-45 million tonne should be the closing stock at thermal power plants by the end of this fiscal. Since the consumption has gone up in November-December, because of several factors, greater demand in agriculture, economic activities. So, though our endeavour is to achieve the target, these (factors) have posed a challenge," he said.

He further, noted that Coal India may fall short of the target due to the sudden high demand for power during the winters.

“Having gone by the experience of April, May and June of last year, it is appropriate for the country to keep little higher stock, so that in case of any eventuality, because of heavy rains or other factors if its (coal availability) is diminishing, we have an adequate stock," Meena said, adding that “The target may get little compromised because of higher consumption at the thermal power end, though we are trying."