Coal supply to power sector ticks up 6% to 408 MT in 2015-16

CIL that accounts for over 80% of domestic coal production dispatched 385.4 MT of dry fuel in 2014-15

State-run miner Coal India supplied 407.9 million tonnes of fuel to the power sector in 2015-16, up 5.8% over the previous year.

Coal India (CIL), which accounts for over 80% of the domestic coal production, dispatched 385.4 mt of the dry fuel in 2014-15, government data showed.

The dispatch figure for March, however, was marginally lower by 1.8% at 36.1 mt compared with 36.8 mt a year ago.

The dispatches rose in 2015-16 on the back of increase in CIL output and improvement in evacuation of the dry fuel, according to industry analysts.

Fuel supply by Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL), jointly owned by central and Telangana governments, went up 20.7% to 47.3 mt in 2015-16, over 39.2 mt in 2014-15, the official data showed.

Coal India's production grew at 8.5% to 536 mt in 2015-16, but missed the target of 550 mt.

The government is targeting coal production of 1.5 billion tonnes by 2020, of which Coal India is looking at 1 billion tonnes.

The government is aiming to provide 24x7 power by 2019 by creating cost-effective infrastructure that will be sustainable and inclusive of clean energy solutions.