Coal Supply to Punjab Power Plants Remains Adequate; Timely Lifting from CIL and Higher Captive Coal Utilisation Key to Sustained Generation
The Ministry of Coal clarified that adequate coal is available for Punjab's power plants, countering media reports of a power crisis due to coal shortages. It noted that plant outages, lower Plant Load Factor (PLF) at PSPCL plants, and delays in lifting coal offered by Coal India Limited (CIL) and captive mines are the actual reasons for reduced generation. The government has facilitated coal movement from captive mines and allocated extra coal to Independent Power Plants (IPPs) to maintain steady power generation.
Why It Matters
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In Simple Words
Media reports claimed that Punjab is facing a power crisis because of coal shortages. However, the Ministry of Coal stated that sufficient coal is actually available for the State's power plants.
The real issues are plant breakdowns, lower utilization of PSPCL's own thermal plants, and delays by power plants in lifting the coal already offered by Coal India Limited and captive mines.
Key Points
- The Ministry of Coal clarified that adequate coal has been made available to Punjab's power plants.
- CIL remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted coal supply for power generation across the country, including Punjab.
- Supply of coal from PSPCL's captive Pachhwara Central Coal Mine to IPPs has been enabled, subject to Jharkhand statutory payment obligations.
- Average rake supply to NPL and TSPL has been higher than their average consumption through September 2026.
- Pachhwara Central mine production reached 83.67% of the annual target, while despatch stood at only 68.44%, leaving unevacuated stock of 3.21 lakh tonnes.
- PSPCL operates three thermal power plants with a combined capacity of 2,300 MW, holding coal stock at around 114% of normative requirement as on 11.09.2026.
- The tentative Plant Load Factor (PLF) of PSPCL's plants during September 2026 was only around 59%.
- CIL subsidiaries offered additional coal under RCR mode and Flexibility Policy, but booking and lifting have remained below offered quantities.
Exam Angle
A. Around 114% of the normative requirement
Source: Press Information Bureau