Parliament was informed on Thursday that coal supply to power plants has decreased over the last three years but will decline even more in 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Power plants received 596.3 million tonnes (mt) in 2020-21, 638.7 million tonnes (mt) in 2019-20 and 643.7 million tonnes (mt) of coal in 2018-19. From April to June of 2021, it was 171.7 million tonnes. During the last three years, the amount of coal received has decreased slightly. However, the decline in 2020-21 was primarily due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that was sweeping the country In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Power Minister R K Singh informed. Singh told the media that the share of power generation from non-fossil fuels (renewable energy) has been steadily increasing over time, resulting in a decrease in coal-based power plant load factor (PLF or capacity utilisation). The power minister told the House that gas consumption by gas-fired power plants was consistent at around 30 million metric standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD). Singh informed an Inter-Ministerial Sub Group made up of representatives from the ministries of power, coal, railways, and shipping, as well as the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), NTPC, and Coal India Ltd (CIL) or Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), meets regularly to take various operational decisions for meeting any contingent situations. The Indian government's Central Electricity Authority (CEA) provides policy advice and develops plans for the development of electrical systems. On all technical matters relating to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, the CEA advises the federal government, state governments, and regulatory commissions. It also provides advice to state governments, licensees, and generating companies on how to better operate and maintain the electricity system under their ownership or control. Image Source Also read: Coal plant decommissioning can help save Rs 37,750 cr: CEEW report