Monsoon woes: Coal supplies to power sector dips 5.5% in August y-o-y

New Delhi: Coal supply to the power sector dipped 5.5 percent in August as 58.07 Million Tonnes (MT) of coal was sent to the sector as opposed to 61.43 MT in August 2023. Due to above-normal rains, coal production also took a hit in August, dropping 7.5 percent, from 67.76 MT in August 2023 to 62.67 MT in August this year, data shared by the Coal Ministry showed.

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Stressing that coal supply to the power sector remains a key priority, the Ministry of Coal said that between April and August 2024, supply to the power sector reached 338.75 MT, registering a growth of 4.13 percent over the 325.33 MT supplied during the same period last year. “As of 31st August 2024, coal stock levels at thermal power plants saw a significant increase, reaching 37.18 MT, a 32.08 percent growth compared to 28.15 MT on the same day in 2023,” the ministry added.

Coal production impacted due to above-normal precipitation

“India’s coal production and supply trends for the period from April to August 2024 show a positive trajectory, despite some short-term variations in the month of August 2024, due to above-normal precipitation impacting mining and mobility. The Ministry of Coal remains committed to meeting the country’s energy demands through reliable coal production and supply,” said the Ministry of Coal.

From April to August 2024, India’s total coal production reached 384.07 MT, representing a growth of 6.36 percent compared to 361.11 MT recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year.

In terms of coal supply across the country during the same period, from April to August 2024, it stood at 412.69 MT, with an increase of 5.17 percent compared to 392.40 MT during the corresponding period of last year. In August 2024, however, coal supply fell 7 percent to 69.94 MT, compared to 75.19 MT in August 2023.

“These results reflect the Ministry of Coal’s commitment to ensuring stable coal production and supply to meet the country’s energy needs, while addressing the operational challenges in the sector,” said the Coal Ministry.

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