Stocks of Coal at Domestic Coal-Based Thermal Power Plants Enough to Fulfill Needs for 18.5 Days at Current Rate of Use

The position of stocks is 33% higher than it was a year ago.

As of June 29, 2024, the coal inventories at domestic coal-based (DCB) thermal power plants (TPPs) were 44.46 MT, which is enough to meet requirements for 18.5 days based on current consumption levels. Compared to the same period last year, this stock holding is 33% higher. It should be mentioned that there was a 10.58 percent increase in coal production in the first quarter of this year. In a similar vein, the coal supply has increased by 8.50%.

It is also noteworthy that the coal ministry, taking into account the impact of the monsoon on coal output, guaranteed 98.67 MT of stock availability at mine pitheads as of June 30, 2024 (including coal in transit), a 33.5 % increase over the same period the previous year.

At the TPP end, stock availability is currently 68% of the normative demand, compared to roughly 50% during the same time last year. It should be mentioned that there was no coal shortage at the domestic coal-based TPPs in FY 23–24. There were more than 47 MT of coal in TPPs’ stock as of March 31, 2024. The coal ministry intends to keep a comparable high stock at the mine pithead and at the TPP’s end for this fiscal year as well.

Since there has been a 10.54% rise in rakes/days as of June 29, 2024, compared to the same period in the previous year, it is clear that there is sufficient stock on hand to cover all domestic coal-based TPPs’ monsoon requirements. In addition, the ministries of coal, railroads, and power are working closely together to guarantee that there is enough coal available at all of the nation’s domestic coal-based TPPs.