Page 4 - Coal

India's coal import rises 11% to 121.1 million tonnes in Apr-Aug period

India's coal import rose 11.4 per cent to 121.1 million tonnes (MT) in the April-August period of the ongoing fiscal year. The country had imported 108.7 MT coal in the corresponding period of the previous year. According to data compiled by B2B e-commerce platform mjunction, "During April-August 2024, total coal and coke imports stood at 121.18 MT, around 11.4 per cent higher than 108.74 MT imported during the same period last year." However, coal import in August rose 5.4 per cent to 20.70 MT over 19.63 MT a year earlier. Of the total import in August 2024, non-coking coal import was at 13.04 MT, against 11.89 MT, while coking coal import was at 4.53 MT, against 4.62 MT a year ago. During April-August, non-coking coal import was at 78.68 MT, higher than 68.58 MT imported during the same period last financial year. Coking coal import was at 24.79 MT, almost flat against 24.85 MT recorded in the year-ago period. "Surplus availability of domestic coal in the system along with dwin

India needs more time for transition from coal in its energy mix: Experts

As the UK officially shut down its last remaining coal power plant on Monday, policy experts said coal will continue to be a part of India's energy mix for the next few decades, given that it is still a developing country with significant energy needs. The UK on Monday closed its last coal power plant, becoming the first G7 nation to do so amid calls for a global coal-free energy system by 2040. The world's first coal power plant opened in London in 1882, and until 2012, coal accounted for 39 per cent of the UK's electricity generation. Global energy think tank Ember said the closure of the UK's last coal plant means that more than a third of OECD countries are now coal-free, with three-quarters expected to eliminate coal power by 2030, in line with global climate goals aimed at limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The International Energy Agency's (IEA) "Net Zero by 2050" report recommends that developed countries phase out unabated coal by 2030, while developing countries sho

WBPDCL achieves self-sufficiency in in coal supply for power generation

State-owned West Bengal Power Development Corporation (WBPDCL) has achieved self-sufficiency in coal supply for its thermal plants from its captive sources in the current fiscal, eliminating its dependence on Coal India Ltd, a top official said on Friday. WBPDCL aims to produce around 20 million tonnes of coal in the current fiscal, up from 18.41 million tonnes in FY24. "We have zero dependence on Coal India for coal supply from this fiscal. Last year, we procured 3.85 million tonnes of dry fuel from them," WBPDCL Director (Mining) Chanchal Goswami told PTI. As of August 2024, dispatches from our captive mines have reached 9.1 million tonnes, he said on the sidelines of Assocham's "2nd Minerals and Mining Conclave 2024". Goswami, also a former CIL professional, said that three-fourth of WBPDCL's coal production comes from Pachwara North in Jharkhand. The block is expected to produce 15 million tonnes in FY'25 out of the total 20-21 million tonnes. Other blocks include Barjora, .

Southeast Asian nations likely to boost coal trade as China approaches peak

The Indonesian Coal Miners Association (ICMA) expects imports by China and India to peak in 2025, ending growth in global seaborne trade volumes of the polluting fuel

NCI declines 3.48% in June, indicates sufficient availability in market

Indicating sufficient coal availability in the market, the National Coal Index (NCI) dropped 3.48 per cent to 142.13 points in June 2024. The NCI was at 147.25 points in June 2023, the coal ministry said in a statement on Friday. This fall indicates sufficient availability of coal in the market to meet the growing demands. NCI is a price index that combines coal prices from all sales channels, including notified prices, auction prices and import prices. It considers prices of coking and non-coking coal of various grades transacted in the regulated (power and fertilizer) and non-regulated sectors. Established with the base year as fiscal 2017-18, NCI serves as a reliable indicator of market dynamics, providing valuable insights into price fluctuations. Additionally, the premium on coal auctions indicates the pulse of the industry, and the sharp decline in coal auction premium confirms the sufficient coal availability in the market. The growth of 14.58 per cent in the country's coa

Quantum Capital to buy US power producer Cogentrix Energy for $3 bn

Cogentrix, which was bought by Carlyle from Goldman Sachs in 2012, operates more than 70 gas, coal, solar and other renewable assets

'DGMS focuses on safety amid increase in commercial coal mine auctions'

With more commercial mines being auctioned, the DGMS has started discussions with captive and commercial coal block operators on mine safety, an official said on Sunday. The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) emphasises ensuring adherence to safety norms among new players. "We see more captive and commercial mines coming into production every year. So, we are actively engaging in consultation with the mine operators so that they understand the rules and regulations that have to be followed for mine safety," DGMS Director General Prabhat Kumar said at the Mines Safety Award 2024 event. In the last nine rounds, the Ministry of Coal has auctioned 107 blocks with a peak-rated capacity of 256 MT. So far, 11 commercial coal blocks have been operationalised. Meanwhile, Coal India, which is diversifying into the non-coal sector, will actively participate in more auctions of critical mineral blocks, including lithium, to capitalise on the battery value chain. "We have taken one min

NLC India bags Odisha coal mine with 1.38 billion tonnes capacity

State-owned NLC India Ltd on Monday said that it has bagged a coal mine in Odisha. The coal produced from the mine will address the energy security of the country. The coal mine has total reserves of around 1.38 billion tonnes with an operatable peak-rated capacity of 30 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). "NLC India Ltd has emerged as the successful bidder for the Machhakata (revised) coal mine in Angul district of Odisha in the eighth round of commercial coal block e-auction," the company said in a statement. This is the second coal mine won by the public sector enterprise after North Dhadu coal block (Western Part). The company said that it is committed to its capacity addition in line with its vision of achieving more than 100 MTPA by 2030 from the present 50 MTPA. NLC India's core business is mining and power generation. Meanwhile, the coal ministry on Monday executed the Coal Mining Development and Production Agreements for three coal mines that were auctioned. The mines for

Mechanisation, better logistics catalyst for record coal stock: CIL CMD

Our output of 189 MTs in the first quarter of the current financial year was around 14 MTs more compared to last year's same quarter, giving us the leverage to step up our supplies, Prasad said

India's coal production increases 14% to 84.63 million tonne in June

The country's coal production rose by 14.49 per cent to 84.63 million tonne (MT) in June. The country's coal output was 73.92 MT in June last fiscal, according to provisional figures of the government. In June Coal India Ltd's (CIL) production was at 63.10 MT, registering a rise of 8.87 per cent compared to the same period last year, the coal ministry said in a statement. India's coal dispatch in June was at 85.76 MT, up by 10.15 per cent compared to the same period last year. Additionally, as on June 30, the coal stock held by coal companies witnessed a surge, reaching 95.02 MT. "This surge reflects an impressive annual growth rate of 41.68 per cent underscoring the robust performance and efficiency of the coal sector. Concurrently, the coal stock at thermal power plants (TPP) marked a notable increase to 46.70 MT (Provisional) on the same date, with an annual growth rate of 30.15 per cent," it added. Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output.

Adequate coal stock available, can meet 18.5 days' thermal power need: Govt

The Centre on Monday said it has adequate coal to meet the requirements of domestic thermal power plants (TTPs). The coal stocks at domestic TPPs as on Saturday stood at 44.46 million tonnes (MT), which is sufficient to meet the requirements of 18.5 days as per present level of consumption. "This stock position is 33 per cent higher over stock position of same time during last year," the coal ministry said in a statement. Coal production grew 10.58 per cent in the June quarter, it said, adding that supply of coal saw a rise of 8.50 per cent. Keeping in view the "monsoon effect in coal production, coal ministry has ensured 98.67 MT stock availability at the pithead of mines (including coal in transit) as on June 30, 2024, which is 33.5 per cent higher over last year's position". Currently, the stock availability at the TPP end is 68 per cent of the normative requirement, which was about 50 per cent during the same period of last year. During 2023-24, there was no scarcity of coal

Union Minister Reddy launches 10th round of commercial coal mine auction

The move will enhance domestic coal production and ensure energy security for the nation, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Coal

Minister Reddy to launch 10th round of commercial coal auctions on Jun 21

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy will on Friday launch the 10th round of commercial coal auctions in which 60 mines will be put on block, an official statement said on Wednesday. The move will enhance domestic coal production and ensure energy security for the nation. The blocks to be put on sale include both coking and non-coking coal mines, the statement by Ministry of Coal said. The union minister of coal and mines will launch the 10th round of commercial coal mining auctions on June 21 in Hyderabad. Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Coal Secretary Amrit Lal Meena will be present on the occasion, it said. "The upcoming auction round includes 60 coal blocks, encompassing a diverse range of coking and non-coking coal mines. Strategically located across different states/regions, these blocks will support regional economic development and employment generation," the ministry said. Out of 60 coal m

Adani Group's Australian coal port gets $333 million private credit loan

Billionaire Gautam Adani's ports-to-power group is one of India's largest thermal power producers with multiple coal-based plants in the nation

Major world economies seek to halt financing of private sector coal deals

Under the plan, financial institutions would fund the early retirement of coal plants, rather than divest from these assets

Adani group mcap regains $200 bn-mark as co rebuts coal invoicing claims

Adani Group's market capitalisation on Wednesday regained USD 200 billion-mark (Rs 16.9 lakh crore) after its listed firms gained Rs 11,300 crore as investors reposed faith on the company denying any wrongdoing in supply of coal to Tamil Nadu power company. With Rs 11,300 crore gain on Wednesday, the apples-to-airport conglomerate gained Rs 56,250 crore in market capitalisation in the last two trading sessions, stock exchange data showed. The gain came on a day when London-based Financial Times, citing documents from George Soros-backed Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) in a report alluded to a fraud by Adani group by selling low grade coal as high value fuel in 2013. While Adani group denied all allegations, the news report was cited by opposition leaders including former Congress president Rahul Gandhi to demand a probe by a joint parliamentary committee into the alleged wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the group said the quality of the coal was independently

Rail freight grows at 1.4% in April; coal cargo rises by 6.3%

Coal cargo falls by nearly 8 per cent on cooler April in north, west India

India's coal production rises 7.4% in April to 78.69 million tonnes

India's domestic coal production rose 7.41 per cent to 78.69 million tonnes (MT) in April. The country's coal output was 73.26 MT in the corresponding month of the previous fiscal year. "India's coal production for April 2024 reached 78.69 MT (provisional)," the coal ministry said in a statement. During the last month, Coal India Ltd (CIL) achieved production of 61.78 MT (provisional), registering a growth of 7.31 per cent compared to the same period last year when it was 57.57 MT. Additionally, coal production by captive/others last month stood at 11.43 MT (provisional), showing a growth of 12.99 per cent from the previous year, which was 10.12 MT. The country's coal dispatch in April rose to 85.10 MT (provisional) against 80.23 MT in April last fiscal year. Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output.

G7 nations reach deal to shut down their coal-fired power plants by 2035

The accord will be included in the G7 energy ministers' final communique to be released on Tuesday at the end of a two-day meeting in Turin

Govt asks imported coal-based plants to run full capacity till October 15

The Ministry of Power has asked all thermal plants using imported coal to operate at full capacity for another three and a half months till October 15 to avoid electricity shortage amid rising demand in the country. The ministry has projected peak power demand of 260 GW during the summer season (April to June) in view of longer heat wave duration. Peak power demand had touched all-time higher of 243 GW in September 2023. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures in most parts of the country during summer this year. A power ministry notice to 15 imported coal-based thermal power projects on April 12 stated, "It has now been decided to extend the time period for Section 11 directive to generating companies having imported coal-based plants, up to October 15, 2024." In October 2023, the ministry extended the deadline for these imported coal-based plants to operate at full capacity from November 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. In February 2023