India: CIL’s Coal Dispatch to Power Plants Up 8% Y-o-Y in Apr-Nov’18

Coal India Ltd (CIL) has supplied 315.94 MnT coal to the power plants during the first 8 month period (Apr’18-Nov’18), achieving a growth of 8% Y-o-Y from 291.78 MnT attained in the same period last year.

The information was provided by the Minister of Coal & Railways, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) had supplied 35.04 MnT coal to the power stations in the 8-month month period.

Both CIL and SCCL have been raising their coal supplies in accordance with the surge in power demand in the country. The coal based Power generation during the period of April-Nov’18, registered a growth of 5.5% over the generation in the corresponding period of last year.

Besides, the total power output attained in the period was 99.16 % of the programmed schedule.

Consequently, the elevated demand for power had taken its toll on the coal stocks available at the power stations, which had been reduced in Nov’18. However, with the beginning of the winter season, power plants’ coal consumption has come down thereby aiding the power plants to again bolster their stock levels.

As on 11 Dec’18, coal stock at power plants (having coal linkages) had increased 30% M-o-M to 14.54 MnT as against 11.195 MnT recorded on 11 Nov’18. The available stock was sufficient for 9 days of power generation. Moreover, the number of plants having critical stock levels was reduced to 13 from 26 earlier.

Replying to a separate question, Mr Goyal also highlighted the significance of 3rd party sampling in order to ensure quality of coal dispatched to the power plants.

As a result, specific coal consumption, a measure of coal required to produce a unit of electricity, has been on the decline leading to progressively lesser fuel requirement for power generation. The specific coal consumption in thermal Power Plants has reduced from 0.714 Kg/Kwh in 2010-11 to 0.642 Kg/Kwh in 2017-18.

Lignite Production in India:
NLC India Limited (formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited) has produced 135.26 LT (Lakh Tonne) lignite coal during Apr’18-Nov’18 period.

The grade of lignite produced by NLCIL ranges between G-15 to G-17, is being used domestically by NLCIL’s own pit head power stations and some quantity is sold in the domestic market for paper & cement industries.

The mining operation had yielded INR 3061.09 Crore to the company in the period.

NLC India Lignite Production in FY19 (Upto Nov’18)

Source: Ministry Reports
Quantity in LT (Lakh Tonne)
Income in INR Crore