Coal Ensures Energy Security Amid Renewable Expansion

20 Mar 2026 CW Team

The pithead coal stock at the mines of Coal India Limited (CIL) was 106.78 million (mn) tonne (t) on 1 April 2025 and rose to about 125.54 mn t on 18 March 2026. There were around five point seven five mn t at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) mines, 15.75 mn t at captive and commercial mines, about 12 mn t in transit and five point four nine mn t in ports and goodshed sidings. These holdings are additional to 53.41 mn t at power plants, adequate for nearly 23 days at the current consumption rate.

CIL has planned 29 e-auctions in March 2026 offering about 23.56 mn t. Five auctions since 12 March 2026 saw seven point three one mn t offered and three point one nine six mn t booked, indicating adequate supply. The company is facilitating allocations through the State Nominated Agencies (SNAs) route.

The Ministry has asked state governments to provide for additional coal needs which can be met in full to avoid shortages and CIL is monitoring offtake via the SNAs to ensure uninterrupted supplies. Measures include proactive stakeholder engagement, robust monitoring and policy facilitation to address logistical and demand side challenges. The coordinated approach aims to maintain supply security while the energy mix evolves.

The Ministry affirmed its commitment to a stable, transparent and performance driven ecosystem that supports reliable coal availability and uninterrupted operations across critical sectors, contributing to the long term vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. These measures are described as complementary to the expansion of renewable energy and grid modernisation.

Coal continues to provide reliable baseload power to support core industries such as steel and cement and to underpin the country’s economic growth even as renewable capacity expands. The Ministry of Coal said coal plays an important role in energy security while renewable generation and grid flexibility are scaled up. The account emphasised a balanced approach to meet present demand and enable transition. The pithead coal stock at the mines of Coal India Limited (CIL) was 106.78 million (mn) tonne (t) on 1 April 2025 and rose to about 125.54 mn t on 18 March 2026. There were around five point seven five mn t at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) mines, 15.75 mn t at captive and commercial mines, about 12 mn t in transit and five point four nine mn t in ports and goodshed sidings. These holdings are additional to 53.41 mn t at power plants, adequate for nearly 23 days at the current consumption rate. CIL has planned 29 e-auctions in March 2026 offering about 23.56 mn t. Five auctions since 12 March 2026 saw seven point three one mn t offered and three point one nine six mn t booked, indicating adequate supply. The company is facilitating allocations through the State Nominated Agencies (SNAs) route. The Ministry has asked state governments to provide for additional coal needs which can be met in full to avoid shortages and CIL is monitoring offtake via the SNAs to ensure uninterrupted supplies. Measures include proactive stakeholder engagement, robust monitoring and policy facilitation to address logistical and demand side challenges. The coordinated approach aims to maintain supply security while the energy mix evolves. The Ministry affirmed its commitment to a stable, transparent and performance driven ecosystem that supports reliable coal availability and uninterrupted operations across critical sectors, contributing to the long term vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. These measures are described as complementary to the expansion of renewable energy and grid modernisation.

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