Coal India Seeks To Ensure Affordable Power Amid West Asia Crisis

17 Mar 2026 CW Team

Coal India Ltd sought to ensure power at a just price to the country as the West Asia crisis threatened global shipping lanes and raised the prospect of higher imported coal costs. The state-owned miner supplied 80 per cent of domestic coal production and 75 per cent of coal-based generation. It accounted for 55 per cent of total power generation and met 40 per cent of the primary commercial energy requirements of the country.

Company officials said the country had adequate coal sufficiency to meet the anticipated spike in summer demand, with Coal India maintaining robust stockpiles at pitheads and thermal power plants. Pitheads held 122 million tonnes (122 mn t) of coal while domestic coal-based plants were stocked with 53 million tonnes (53 mn t). In-situ exposure at the mines stood at about 60 million tonnes (60 mn t), ready for extraction and short-notice supply.

Coal India directed its subsidiaries to ramp up the frequency and quantum of coal dispatches through a single-window agnostic auction mechanism to accelerate deliveries. Supplies to the non-regulated sector rose nearly 14 per cent over the previous year as the company sought to balance commercial and regulated commitments. Operational measures included closer coordination with power plants and logistics partners to smooth the supply chain.

The government indicated that production and supply this year had outpaced consumption, yielding record-high stocks at thermal plants and mines and underlining systemic preparedness. Coal India maintained a production target of 875 million tonnes (875 mn t) for 2025-26 and produced 781.1 million tonnes (781.1 mn t) in the fiscal year 2025. The company said it aimed to meet growing demand despite recent slight monthly production dips in late 2025. Officials noted contingency plans were in place to prioritise critical loads and avoid disruptions.

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