News Update

Pan-India coal production to grows at 6-7 per cent per annum in the next few years to reach 1.5 billion tonnes (bt) by the end of this decade. The all-India domestic coal production has already surpassed a billion tonnes with the output growing by almost 5 per cent Y-o-Y to 1047.67 Million Tonne (mt) in FY25.

A total of seven coal blocks have been successfully auctioned, comprising three fully explored and four partially explored coal blocks in the 12th round of commercial auctions. The Ministry of Coal launched the 12th round of coal block auctions for commercial mining on March 27, 2025. These seven blocks hold a combined geological reserve of approximately 1,761.49 million tonnes.

Revised SHAKTI Policy, 2025 is a transparent way of allocation of coal to the Power Sector. This Policy enhances scope of the erstwhile coal linkage allocation policy for Power Sector by providing greater flexibility, wider eligibility and better accessibility to coal. It encourages competition, enhances efficiency, ensures better use of capacity and provides for seamless pit head thermal capacity addition and affordable power to the country.

India has achieved a significant milestone in its energy sector by crossing 1 billion tonnes (BT) of coal production in the financial year 2024-25, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday. Coal India Limited (CIL), the country’s largest coal producer, contributed 781.07 million tonnes (provisional) during the year, up from 773.81 million tonnes the previous year. In a written reply, Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said to reduce dependency on imported coal and strengthen domestic supply, the government has undertaken several strategic measures

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday said the central government has undertaken significant reforms over the past 11 years to propel the mining sector while ensuring development, public welfare and environmental protection.

In a first, an expanding and aspirational Indian middle class coupled with a growing industrial and commercial base is likely to alter the world’s third largest energy consumer’s primary energy demand mix in the next two and a half decades with coal losing its dominant tag to oil. According to OPEC’s world oil outlook 2025 report, the share of coal in India’s primary energy demand, which stood at 45.8 per cent in 2024, may shrink to roughly one-third (29.6 per cent) in the next 25 years.

Investments to set up thermal power generation units are likely to double to Rs 2.3 trillion over the three fiscals through 2028, compared with the preceding three financial years, as the government has renewed its focus on the sector to help meet the growing energy demand and the resultant base-load power requirement. The government has set a target of at least 80 gw of thermal capacity addition by fiscal 2032.

The government is considering battery storage systems for thermal power plants as well to reduce rising operational costs amid frequent renewable energy fluctuations.Until now, the focus has been on storage systems for renewable energy projects, as the electricity produced through them is intermittent. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) help make renewable energy available round-the-clock, especially during evening hours when there is no sunlight for solar power.

The government has identified 10 old or retired thermal power sites for repurposing them into nuclear power units. The move is part of the Centre's ambitious aim to reach 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 from about 8.8 GW currently. The government's target for 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity is likely to entail deploying various technologies as part of Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. India is aiming to first reach 22 GW nuclear power capacity by 2032.

The government's target for 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity is likely to entail deploying various technologies as part of Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. India is aiming to first reach 22 GW nuclear power capacity by 2032.

India is considering qualifying criteria for private companies looking to operate nuclear power plants, said people familiar with deliberations. Such companies are barred from nuclear power generation, which is at present limited to central public sector undertakings. The companies are likely to be evaluated by the government or a designated agency across several parameters, including financial and technical strengths, experience and track record.

The country generated approximately 113 terawatt-hours (TWh) of solar electricity last year, compared to Japan’s 110 TWh. This marks a remarkable jump for India, which ranked ninth globally in solar generation in 2015. Globally, solar energy contributed 5.5% to total electricity production in 2023, while in India, solar accounted for 5.8% of total power generation.

Cement production rose by 8% year-on-year across India in the first quarter of the 2026 Fiscal Year (FY2026), which ran from 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025. Production rose to 120Mt for the three-month period, with June 2025 volumes 9% higher year-on-year than June 2024 at 41.3Mt.

Steelmakers are expected to post sequential rise in profits in the fiscal first quarter, as a sharp rebound in domestic steel prices and lower coking coal costs is likely to outweigh sluggish sales. Analysts estimate aggregate earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation for ferrous companies to rise by 2-16% quarter-on quarter despite a 11-12% decline in sales volume in the three months ended June.