Coal India assures adequate supply to meet summer demand surge

New Delhi: Coal India Limited (CIL) has asserted that it is well-prepared to meet the anticipated surge in coal demand during the upcoming summer months, backed by robust stock levels across the supply chain.

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In an official statement, Coal India said, the Maharatna PSU stated that rising power demand since January indicates a likely increase in coal consumption in the coming months.

Coal India highlighted that a three-tier buffer—comprising pithead stock, coal inventory at thermal power plants, and in-situ coal ready for extraction—ensures sufficient domestic coal availability. As of February 26, 2026, CIL’s pithead coal stock stood at approximately 115 million tonnes (MT), with expectations of further buildup by the end of the current fiscal.

Coal inventory at domestic coal-based thermal power plants has reached nearly 55 MT as of February 25, marking the highest level for this period. Additionally, around 5.5 MT of coal is available as transit stock at goods sheds, washeries, and ports.

Collectively, the total readily accessible coal stock across the system is estimated at about 175.5 MT, which, according to the company, is adequate to meet any sudden spike in demand from the power sector as well as other industries, effectively dispelling concerns of coal shortages.

Further strengthening supply readiness, CIL noted that in-situ coal exposure—coal uncovered and ready for extraction—stood at 60.2 MT in mines accounting for 90 percent of its annual output as of mid-February.

A senior company official stated that the cumulative availability across these three levels provides strong operational assurance to meet demand fluctuations.

Coal India also indicated that higher domestic coal availability could help reduce reliance on imports, especially at a time when international coal prices have been witnessing an upward trend in February 2026.

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