Advisory to the Board

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.

India's mining sector has experienced significant growth, expanding by 7.5% in the fiscal year 2023-24. This uptick reflects the resilience and potential of the country's mining industry, contributing to economic development and resource extraction. The growth in India's mining sector is attributed to various factors, including increased production levels, favourable policy reforms, and rising demand for minerals and metals both domestically and internationally.

India's coal-fired electricity generation and power sector emissions hit record highs during the first quarter as above-average temperatures spurred higher air conditioner use and economic expansion drove greater overall power consumption. Coal-fired electricity output hit 338 terawatt hours during the first quarter of 2024, according to think tank Ember, which marked a 9.6% rise from the same quarter in 2023.

As many as 184 thermal power plants with a total generation capacity of 211 GW have 68 per cent of normative coal stock levels amid rising electricity demand due to soaring temperatures in the country. According to the Central Electricity Authority's (CEA) May 3 daily report, 184 plants, that are monitored by the CEA, have 47.78 million tonnes of coal stocks against the normative level of 70.55 million tonnes.

Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday reviewed the coal production and despatch situation at thermal power plants (TPPs) as the country’s power demand is expected to hit 235 gigawatts (GW) during May. “Chaired a meeting with senior officials of the Coal Ministry to review coal production and off-take…

Rapid solar energy deployment in India pushed the country past Japan to become the world's third-largest solar power generator in 2023, according to a new report. The report by global energy think tank Ember said India ranked ninth in solar energy deployment in 2015. Solar produced a record 5.5 per cent of global electricity in 2023. In line with the global trend, India generated 5.8 per cent of its electricity from solar last year, as reported in Ember's "Global Electricity Review".

India's coal import rose by 7.7 per cent to 268.24 million tonne (MT) in FY24 driven by softness in seaborne prices and likelihood of increase in power demand during summer. The country's coal import was 249.06 MT in FY23, according to data compiled by B2B e-commerce company mjunction services.

India has surpassed China and Japan to become the largest global buyer of seaborne coking coal, with imports set to reach 100 million metric tons by 2030, as per S&P Global Commodity Insights. This surge aligns with the country's robust plans to expand steel production capacity to meet escalating infrastructure demands.

Indian ports have registered an improvement in key parameters and are now clocking at global best levels, senior officials told ET. According to data compiled by the Ministry for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, average container turnaround time (TRT) for eight Major Ports improved to 22.57 hours during 2023-24, from 23.44 hours in fiscal 2022-23. These eight handle 65% of all cargo moving on the central government administered ports of the country.

India’s rise as the world’s top coking coal consumer and China’s surging imports from Down Under are set to boost Australia’s lead as the world’s biggest producer of the steelmaking ingredient in the coming years. Australia’s total coking coal exports are expected to increase by 14% from 2023 levels to 171.9 million mt in 2025, according to S&P Global Commodities at Sea.