New 80 GW coal-based capacity to be added by 2030
The Ministry of Coal plans to produce 1,404-million tonne (MT) of coal by year 2027 and 1,577 MT by year 2030, up from the current level production of about one billion tonne per annum.
Coal-based power plants are being supplied around 821 MT for the current year.
The Ministry has taken note of the additional coal requirement for supplying to new 80 GW thermal capacity to be added in the country by 2030.
The coal requirement for additional thermal capacity would be around 400 MT at 85% PLF, and the actual requirement may be lower depending on the generation requirements in the coming times due to contributions from renewable sources.
The Ministry also plans to produce additional quantity of coal in its production enhancement plan and will ensure adequate availability of domestic coal to thermal power plants.
Production plan includes opening of new mines, expansion of mines capacity and production from captive/commercial mines. All these three operational components are contributing and have clear plans for further enhancement.
The production plans for year 2027 and 2030 will far exceed the likely domestic requirement of thermal power plants in the country, including that for likely additional capacity, said the Ministry.
As regards coal situation for the current year, stocks have started building up and the coal stock at the thermal power plants is now around 20 MT and at the mines it is 41.59 MT.
The total stock (including transit and captive mines) is 73.56 MT as compared to 65.56 MT during last year, up 12% (year-on-year).
The Ministries of Coal, Power and Railways are working in close co-ordination.
Accordingly smooth coal supplies have been maintained. It is to be noted that lowest TPP stock for this year was on 16 Oct 23, thereafter stock building at thermal power plants and mine end has started building up.
The growth in power generation for domestic coal-based plant is 8.99% while the growth in coal production is 13.02% on yearly basis (till date), the Ministry said on 13 Nov 2023.
Demand for thermal power has grown over 20% on the year during the last three months, it added. fiinews.com
