Union Minister Shripad Naik told in the House that there are sufficient reserves of coal in the country. He said thermal power plants have a stock of 42.8 million tonnes for 14 days and the plants are getting enough coal to meet the power demand.
New Delhi [भारत]July 20 (ANI): Minister of State for Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said in response to a question in the Upper House that there are sufficient coal reserves in the country. “As of July 12, there is 42.8 million tonnes (MT) of coal stock available in thermal power plants, which is sufficient for 14 days at 85% plant load factor (PLF),” the minister said in a written reply to a member’s question.
The written reply said, “The coal (including lignite) based generation capacity in the country is approximately 230.8 GW and its share in the total electricity supplied from April to June 2026 is 69.54%. Further, the maximum generation achieved from such power plants during non-solar peak demand hours is approximately 188.8 GW (approximately 75% of the total generation – 251.4 GW).” Is.”
Monitoring and maintenance for uninterrupted supply
The minister also told the House that “At present thermal power plants are getting sufficient coal to meet the daily demands. Scheduled maintenance of thermal units is done keeping in mind the demand scenario of different months. It is a standard practice to reduce the scheduled maintenance during peak months. If the need arises due to increased demand, the CEA further monitors and allows case-by-case deferment depending on the technical parameters of the plant.”
Synchronization with renewable energy
He said, “In order to integrate renewable energy sources into the power grid, the Central Electricity Authority (Flexible Operation of Coal Based Thermal Power Generating Units) Regulations, 2023 have been notified on 30.01.2023, which mandates all coal based thermal power generating units to achieve a minimum technology level of 40% as per the phased plan specified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) from time to time.”
Government initiative for peak demand
He also said that the Government of India has taken various initiatives to ensure uninterrupted thermal power generation during peak demand periods. “During FY 2025-26, a thermal capacity of 9,470 MW has been added, and a further capacity of 2,260 MW has been commissioned during the current financial year. The supply of coal to thermal power plants is currently being monitored on a daily basis through a joint committee of the Ministry of Power, Railways and Coal.”
“Priority has also been given to coal rakes and dispatch of coal to power houses. An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) comprising Chairman, Railway Board; Secretary, Ministry of Coal and Secretary, Ministry of Power is meeting regularly to closely review the supply of coal to thermal power plants. About 2,669 MW of battery energy has so far been commissioned to supplement the power generation by thermal plants during non-solar hours,” the written reply said. Storage System (BESS) and Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) of 7,426 MW have been commissioned. These energy storage systems (BESS/PSP) store the excess electricity generated during solar hours and utilize the stored electricity mainly during non-solar hours. (ANI)
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