New Delhi: State-owned Coal India Limited (CIL) is planning to supply 156 million tonnes (MTs) of coal to power sector during April-June 2023 quarter amid concerns over spike in coal demand, said the company in a statement on Tuesday. The statement added, "This would be 25.6 percent of the enhanced annual dispatch target of 610 MTs slated for this sector in 2023-24."

"Of the total 821 MT domestic coal demand projected for the power sector in 2023-24, CIL’s target alone accounts for nearly three-quarters at 610 MTs. CIL is confident of meeting the enhanced 610 million tonne (MT) coal supply target to power sector in 2023-24. The target is 20 MTs more than the initially projected 590 MT requirement by power sector," the statement added.

'CIL likely to have 50 MT of coal stock at its pitheads by June end'

“Even after despatching the planned coal to power utilities in the first quarter of FY24, CIL is likely to have a healthy 50 MT coal stock at its pitheads by June end,” said a senior official of the company.

“We are fully cognizant of the importance of meeting the demand surge from power sector and would do everything within our means to meet it," said the executive.

CIL had already clocked 554 MT supply to power sector till March 13

Highlighting upon several factors in favour of the company, CIL said, "a strong 68 MT coal stock build up expected at its pitheads by 2022-23 end, which was 57.3 MTs as on March 13." The company would be scaling up its production into a higher orbit maintaining the pace on the back of an unprecedented 700 MTs output, which it is on course to achieve by FY23 end, it added.

Even in the current financial year the initial target of 565 MTs to thermal plants, was increased to 569.5 MTs by the power sector in May 2022. Taking the rejigged target into its stride, CIL had already clocked 554 MT supply to power sector till March 13. The company is well on its track to close FY23 with more than 585 MTs despatch to power sector which represents an 8.3 percent increase over 540 MTs of FY22.

At least 115 MTs of domestic coal will be available to power plants

"By the end of the ongoing fiscal year it is estimated that there would be at least 115 MTs of domestic coal available to the power plants, with 68 MTs at CIL’s pitheads and 32 MTs at plants’ end. Coal lying at private washeries, goods sheds, ports and captive mines account for around 12 MTs. Rakes on run, that is coal in transit, normally make up three MTs of coal. Compared to last year’s 92.7 MTs, from the same sources, coal availability in the system would be 22.3 MTs more," said the company.

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