India’s coal production to rise to 500MT in 2023: report

It has produced 315.7MT of coal in the first half of 2022.

India’s coal production could reach 500 Million tonnes (MT) in the second half of 2023, CareEdge Research reported. 

India produced a total of 315.7MT of coal across Coal India Limited (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Limited, and Captives in the first half of 2022. 

This has to cross the 380MT in the first half of 2023 (April to September), representing a 21% year-on-year growth.

Read more: Asia turns to coal amidst a global energy crisis

CareEdge noted CIL accounted for the largest share of coal contribution, followed by Captives. 

“This growth was supported by various government initiatives to maintain the coal demand and supply in the country and the contribution of the new commercial mines that became operational in Q1 FY23,” the report read in part.

“This increased production by Captives has helped in meeting the demand-supply gap in the domestic market. The contribution of Captives in total domestic coal production during H1FY23 has increased to around 14% from an earlier 11% during H1FY22.”

Moreover, the coal despatch to the power sector, which accounts for the largest coal despatch, has increased by around 17%YoY. 

As of August 2022, the energy deficit in the country has come down to 0.4% (465 million units) against 0.5% (638 million units) in August 2021.