Coal India to scale up supply to non-power sector, a sign of relief to the aluminium industry

The continuous grievance and follow up which came from the non-power sectors majorly from the aluminium and other manufacturing industry bodies in regards to the continuous challenges of coal supply dearth since August 2021, the Indian state-owned Coal India Limited (CIL) on 12^th February 2021 stated that it will further scale up supplies to this sector.

Coal India in a statement said, “Currently supplying around 3.4 Lakh tonnes of coal per day to the non-power sector (NPS) which is the company’s average supply to this segment. With more than 37 million tonnes (MTs) of coal at its pitheads, CIL aims to further step up supplies to this sector.”

The Indian aluminium industry and other industry bodies representing fertiliser, textile, sponge iron and captive power producers had written multiple letters complaining shortage of coal in their respective industries. However, they had made a representation to the prime minister seeking relief from the coal shortage they were countering.

CIL added, “Despite prioritisation of coal to the power sector and facing other challenges, CIL at 101.7 MTs till January FY22 supplied 97% of the same period last year’s quantity to NPS customers.”

CIL commented its send-off to the non-power sectors during April-January FY22 at 101.7 million tonnes (MTs) was up by 8.2% compared to 94 MTs in the corresponding period of a standard pandemic free FY20.

“For comparable period of even FY19, when CIL recorded the highest ever total coal despatch since its inception, supply to NPS sector grew by 11% over 91.5 MTs”, CIL said.

“Growth in supplies to Non-Power Sector (NPS) customers was at a higher rate than the supplies to the power sector during this period. NPS imports around 170 MTs coal in any fiscal year for blending with domestic coal.”