Coal India has directed its subsidiaries to maximise coal dispatches using all transport modes, including rail links that move coal directly from mines to power plants, to avoid potential shortages. According to reports from The Hindu BusinessLine, the state-run company has asked utilities to build up stocks in advance of peak demand, particularly those located in logistically challenging areas. This emergency response comes as the country faces unprecedented power demand driven by extreme weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 44°C in several parts of India on Saturday. The Indian Meteorological Department has warned that temperatures across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh are likely to rise further, issuing multiple heat warnings.
India's peak power demand hit a record high of 270.82 GW during ongoing heatwave conditions, as reported by Reuters. Despite having 228 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity, coal still accounts for more than 75% of India's electricity generation during peak demand periods. The power ministry has appealed to citizens to be mindful of electricity consumption as harsh summer heat drives demand for cooling. Several regions are facing power cuts, mainly at night when renewable output is not available, as record-breaking heat triggered by an El Niño weather pattern strains the grid. As many as 21 power plants have critically low coal stocks, only enough to meet less than a week's demand, according to latest data from the Central Electricity Authority.
Coal India has provided detailed inventory data showing 168 million tons of coal available across the system as of May 24. According to the company's latest statement, 47.6 million tons are currently at power plants, 113.5 million tons are at mine heads, and 3 million tons are at transit points including goods sheds, private washeries and ports. An additional 4 million tons is moving through the railway network as 'rakes on run'. The company emphasized that 50 million tons of in-situ mine coal remains available for quick extraction and dispatch if demand rises further during the ongoing summer season.
Coal India arm South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) has made a record contribution of 26.86 million tonnes towards Coal India's production milestone of 100 million tonnes achieved so far during the ongoing financial year 2026-27. SECL CMD Harish Duhan reiterated the company's commitment to fulfilling the nation's energy requirements as power demand hit record highs amid intense heatwave conditions. Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey conducted a detailed review of SECL's operations at the company's headquarters in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, focusing on coal production, dispatch, quality management, safety, coal gasification, mine closure, environmental initiatives, digitisation, CSR activities, and future action plans.
