NCL dispatches 3.8 LT coal to powerhouses

New Delhi: Coal Indian arm Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) dispatched 3.83 lakh tonnes of coal to electricity generating plants on Thursday, the highest in a single day, feeding the need of powerhouses in the wake of a sharp increase in the demand for the dry fuel.

Overall, the company dispatched 4.14 lakh tonne of coal on Thursday, the highest ever dispatched in 2022-23, and also the second-highest since the company's inception.

"Fuelling the need of the power sector… amid the steep rise of coal demand, NCL dispatched 3.83 lakh tonne, the highest amount of dry fuel in a single day since the inception of the company," NCL said in a statement.

CMD Bhola Singh said due to the tireless efforts of team, the company has achieved new records.

The CMD emphasised safety, environmental, and quality-first approach during the mining of coal.

Coal India Ltd (CIL), which accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output, is one of the major suppliers of coal to powerhouses.

Catering to the nation's ever-growing energy demand in the post-COVID era, NCL has dispatched 33.54 million tonnes (MT) of coal to power plants in the current fiscal year.

NCL has dispatched 36.89 MT of coal to all its consumers, registering 20.30 per cent year-on-year growth. Both figures of coal dispatches are more than the assigned targets to date.

NCL has produced 34.75 MT of coal to date in the current financial year with yearly growth of 25.26 per cent.

It sent 102 coal rakes on Thursday which includes 40 rakes for upcountry coal consumers and 62 rakes for pit head power plants through dedicated merry-go-round mode.

The company has supplied more than sufficient coal to its dependent powerhouses and robust stock is available with them. It has completed its major monsoon projects for unhindered coal production and dispatch during the rainy season.

Producing coal from its 10 fully mechanised open cast mines in Singrauli and Sonbhadra district, NCL has been entrusted with 122 MT of coal production and dispatch target in the current fiscal year.