India’s coal stocks at thermal plants up 33% YoY in June

Supply still meets the 18.5-day requirement.

The Ministry of Coal said India’s coal stocks at domestic coal-based (DCB) Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) as on 29 June 2024 stood at 44.46 million tonnes (MT), up 33% from the same period a year ago. 

In a statement, the ministry said the current supply is sufficient to meet the requirements of 18.5 days as per the present level of consumption.  

Authorities noted that coal production has been on the increase, with a 10.58% growth in the first quarter, whilst supply grew 8.50 %.

To prepare for the monsoon, the ministry has secured 98.67 MT stock availability at the pithead of mines (including coal in transit) as on 30 June. It noted this is 33.5 % higher than last year.

“Currently the stock availability at the TPP end is 68% of the normative requirement which was about 50% during the same period of last year,” the ministry said.

There was no reported scarcity of coal at domestic TPPs during the fiscal year 2023-2024, with 47 MT stocks as of 31 March 2024, it noted. 

This year, the coal ministry aims to maintain a similar high stock at TPPs end and also at the mine pithead.

The ministry said there was also an increase in the number of rakes/days by 10.54 % compared to last year, ensuring that stock is sufficient during the monsoon season.

It assured that it is working with the railways and power ministries to ensure adequate availability of coal at all domestic coal-based TPPs in the country.