NEW DELHI: A sharp rise in domestic coal production and supply brought down imports for blending at power plants by more than 40% in the April-Dec period of 2023 from the previous corresponding period in spite of a 10% increase in thermal generation.
Latest government data show coal import for blending declining to 17 million tonne (MT) during April-Dec 2023, from 28.7 MT in the previous corresponding period even after the double-digit increase in thermal power output, which was higher than the 7% growth in overall generation in the country.
This indicates the country will be able to meet coal demand for power generation from domestic sources even after dependence on the dry fuel rising in spite of the massive rollout of renewable energy capacity.
Data show domestic coal-based generation rising to 872 billion units (BU), an increase of 7% from 813.9 BU in the previous corresponding period. Seen in the backdrop of declining coal import amid rising generation, higher generation wouldn’t have been possible without a sharp rise in domestic production.
Buoyed by rising domestic production, coal minister Pralhad Joshi last month told TOI India will stop importing thermal coal import in the next financial year (April 2024-March 31, 2025) as domestic production will top a billion tonne and will rise further to meet future demand.
Power minister R K Singh had in November said India will need to add 30 gigawatts (GW) additional coal-fired generation capacity on top of 50 GW already underway to be able to meet future electricity demand, which has posted a growth of 8% in the first half of the financial year. The Central Electricity Authority estimates a peak power demand of 256 GW in 2024-25.
Latest government data show coal import for blending declining to 17 million tonne (MT) during April-Dec 2023, from 28.7 MT in the previous corresponding period even after the double-digit increase in thermal power output, which was higher than the 7% growth in overall generation in the country.
This indicates the country will be able to meet coal demand for power generation from domestic sources even after dependence on the dry fuel rising in spite of the massive rollout of renewable energy capacity.
Data show domestic coal-based generation rising to 872 billion units (BU), an increase of 7% from 813.9 BU in the previous corresponding period. Seen in the backdrop of declining coal import amid rising generation, higher generation wouldn’t have been possible without a sharp rise in domestic production.
Buoyed by rising domestic production, coal minister Pralhad Joshi last month told TOI India will stop importing thermal coal import in the next financial year (April 2024-March 31, 2025) as domestic production will top a billion tonne and will rise further to meet future demand.
Power minister R K Singh had in November said India will need to add 30 gigawatts (GW) additional coal-fired generation capacity on top of 50 GW already underway to be able to meet future electricity demand, which has posted a growth of 8% in the first half of the financial year. The Central Electricity Authority estimates a peak power demand of 256 GW in 2024-25.