India's coal & lignite production surpasses 1-billion-tonne mark

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

lignite production in India crossed 1 billion tonnes in 2023-24, as of March 22, in line with the government's target for this financial year. The output was 6.7% higher year-on-year.

The government's mission for 1-billion-tonne output was a milestone set a few years ago, considering the increasing electricity requirements.

Surpassing the 1-billion-tonne mark in coal and lignite production reduces the dependence on imports, the government said.

India has about 96 million tonnes of coal available with companies. In addition, stocks at domestic coal-based thermal power plants total 49.5 million tonnes, as of March 22. The stocks will enable power generators to sail through the summer months when demand is expected to expand substantially.

The government had earlier said the peak electricity demand between April and June is likely to reach 260 GW as compared with 243 GW this year in September 2023.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts higher-than-normal temperatures in the upcoming summer.

Above-normal maximum temperatures are likely to prevail in most parts of the country during the hot weather season of March to May, the IMD said earlier this month. However, preparations are on to meet the upcoming summer demand, with higher coal stocks at power plants than anticipated.