Coal India Says 168 MT Coal Buffer Available to Meet Rising Power Demand

Kolkata: Coal India Limited has reassured stakeholders that there is no coal shortage concern despite a sharp rise in coal consumption by India’s thermal power plants during the ongoing summer season.

In a press release dated 26 May 2026, the company stated that a total coal buffer of 168 million tonnes (MT) is currently available within the system to meet rising electricity demand.

Strong Coal Inventory Position

According to Coal India, domestic coal-based thermal power plants held approximately 47.6 MT of coal stock as of 23 May 2026.

Additionally, coal inventory at CIL mine heads stood at 113.5 MT as of 24 May 2026, representing a 10% year-on-year increase. The available stock is sufficient to support nearly 19 days of coal consumption.

The company further highlighted:

• Around 3 MT of coal is currently available at transit points such as goods sheds, washeries, and ports

• Nearly 4 MT of coal remains in transit through railway rake movements

Together, these inventories take the total available coal within the system to approximately 168 MT.

CIL Dismisses Coal Shortage Concerns

Coal India clarified that lower stock levels at certain thermal power plants during peak summer periods are a seasonal occurrence and should not be interpreted as a supply-side crisis.

The company also stated that nearly 50 MT of in-situ mine coal is readily available for rapid extraction and dispatch if additional demand arises.

Focus on Critical Power Plants

Out of the 21 power plants categorized under critical coal stock levels as of 20 May 2026:

• 11 are domestic coal-based plants

• 7 of these plants source coal directly from CIL

The company noted that it has been proactively coordinating with power generators to build adequate coal inventories ahead of peak demand periods, especially for plants located in logistically challenging regions.

Coal India Highlights Supply Preparedness

Coal India Limited emphasized that it possesses sufficient coal reserves and operational readiness to support the generation requirements of India’s domestic coal-fired power plants throughout the summer demand cycle.

The company’s assurance comes at a crucial time as electricity consumption across the country continues to rise due to increased cooling requirements and industrial activity.