Power sector’s coal consumption in India rises by 10%

Total coal despatch to the sector reached 609 million tonnes. 

The total despatches of coal to India’s power sector reached 609 million tonnes from April to January 2023, representing a 10.5% year-on-year increase. 

In a report, CareEdge noted this accounted for 84% of the total despatches, which is up from 82% in the previous year. 

Over the same period, coal production in India reached a milestone of 698 million tonnes, a 16% year-on-year growth with Coal India Limited accounting for the largest coal production increase. 

Read more: Coal remains the cheapest option for APAC

“Coal production from captive mines increased by 30.7% y-o-y in YTD FY23 and contributed 13.4% to the total coal production during this period, vs. 11.8% during the same period in FY22,” the report read in part. 

“Steady growth in captive coal production was led by the government’s support and allowing the sale of up to 50% of the annual production from existing operational captive coal mines in the open market.” 

In addition, the Ministry of Coal (MOC) has also requested MoEF&CC1 to allow coal mines with current environmental clearance to increase production up to 40% without any more assessments and single portal approvals.