Adequate coal stock available at DCB power plants to meet monsoon requirements: Govt

New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal has said that adequate coal stock is available at domestic coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs) to meet the requirements of TPPs during upcoming monsoons, when coal production usually declines. Coal stock at domestic coal-based (DCB) power plants is at 45 Million Tonnes (MT), which is 68 percent of the normative coal stock requirement and is sufficient to meet coal consumption at thermal power plants for 18.5 days, said the Ministry of Coal on Monday. “The coal stocks at domestic coal based (DCB) Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) as on 29th June 2024 stands at 44.46 MT which is sufficient to meet requirements of 18.5 days as per the present level of consumption,” said a statement.

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Coal stock 33% higher compared to last year: Coal Ministry

This stock position is 33 percent higher than the stock position during the same time during last year, said the Coal Ministry. Production of coal during the first quarter of this year has seen a growth of 10.58 percent. Similarly, the supply of coal has seen a growth of 8.50 percent. “It is further noteworthy that keeping in view the monsoon’s impact on coal production, the Coal ministry has ensured 98.67 MT stock availability at the pithead of mines (including coal in transit) as on 30th June, 2024 which is 33.5 percent higher over the last year’s position,” said the Coal Ministry.

The current coal stock availability at TPPs is 68 percent of the normative requirement which was about 50 percent during the same period of the last year, said the Coal Ministry. “It may be noted that during FY 2023-24, there was no scarcity of coal at domestic coal-based TPPs. The coal stock at TPPs, as on March 2024, was over 47 MT. This FY as well the Coal Ministry is planning to maintain similar high stock at TPPs and also at mine pithead,” said the statement.

“As on June 29, there is also an increase in the number of rakes/days by 10.54 percent over the same period of the last year, it is, thus, evident that adequate stock is available to meet the monsoon requirements of all domestic coal-based TPPs,” said the Coal Ministry. Further, oal, Railways and Power ministries are closely coordinating to ensure adequate availability of coal at all domestic coal-based TPPs in the country, the ministry added.

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