. NEW DELHI: Domestic thermal power plants currently have enough coal stocks to generate electricity for about 21 days, the ministry of coal said on Monday, adding that India recorded its highest-ever coal production of nearly 1,048 million tonnes (MT) in the 2024–25 financial year.In a statement, the ministry said that as of Dec 31, total coal stocks at domestic coal-based thermal power plants were estimated at nearly 50.3 MT, over 17% higher than the nearly 43 MT of stocks available on the last day of 2024. India’s thermal power plants had faced severe coal shortage in 2021–22, when fuel stocks at several stations fell to an average of nearly four days. The normative stock ideally required to comfortably operate power plants at an 85% load factor is estimated at 20–23 days.There are about 188 thermal power plants in the country, with an installed capacity of nearly 220 gigawatts.The ministry said thermal power plant stocks crossed the 50 MT-mark on Nov 22, around 80 days earlier than in the previous financial year, when this level was reached on Feb 9. Coal production in the 2024–25 fiscal year was nearly 5% higher than the 998 MT recorded in the previous financial year. The calendar year 2025 saw total coal production of about 1,043 MT.“Abundant and uninterrupted supply of coal to the power sector has led to a reduction in imported coal blending by 54.2% over the last year. Coal imported for blending up to Dec 25 stood at just 5.5 MT, compared with 12 MT in the previous calendar year,” it said.With increased domestic coal production, coal imports during the first nine months of 2024–25 fell by 7.9% to 243.6 MT, compared with 264.6 MT in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This reduction resulted in foreign exchange savings of about $7.9 billion.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCongress MP says India remains “heavily invested emotionally and politically” in Bangladesh”Our Youth Is Creative And Innovative,” PM Modi At Viksit Bharat Dialogue“Deeply Impressed,” CEOs Share Takeaways After Meeting PM Modi | VideoFrom Defence To AI: PM Modi Urges German CEOs To Make India Their Global Manufacturing Base’Real Friends Always…’: Trump’s New Envoy Sergio Gor Pledges To Reset India-US TiesNot Trade Or Defence: Why Four-Year Old Baby Ariha Shah Became Key Topic In Modi–Germany TalksAAP’s Raghav Chadha Turns Blinkit Delivery Agent for a Day Amid Gig Workers’ Row’Will Come to Mumbai, Try Cutting My Legs: Annamalai Hits Back at Raj ThackerayIndia Tests Indigenous Fire And Forget Anti-Tank Missile With Top Attack Strike On Moving TargetsShaksgam Valley Row Deepens As China Rejects India’s Claim And Defends CPEC Infra Project With Pak123PhotostoriesBreathtaking pictures of Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben’s stylish Hindu wedding5 animals that survive by pretending to be deadHow to make Halwai Style Aloo Sabji at homeFrom mindful portions to intermittent fasting: When Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s Munmun Dutta gave a peek into her disciplined diet and daily routineTimothée Chalamet to Jacob Elordi: The Men of the 2026 Golden Globes who delivered a masterclass in modern tailoringThalapathy Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ delayed: 8 must-watch OTT hits to streamTamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026: Alliances, numbers and the battle for 234 seats5 jungle survival tips Bear Grylls swears by, and how they apply beyond the wildChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 5 crunchy snack recipes to enjoy with chai during winter `Best horror dramas on Apple TV: ‘The Enfield Poltergeist’, ‘Servant’ and more123Hot PicksISRO PSLV-C62 missionTrump tariffsGold rate todayBengaluru newsCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingNFL Football Playoff Schedule 2026Lebron JamesMatthew and Brady Tkachuks Combined Net WorthVanessa BryantBengaluru Girl RapeConnor McDavidISRO LaunchGeorge Valera Net WorthNandani SharmaDarius Slay
NEW DELHI: Domestic thermal power plants currently have enough coal stocks to generate electricity for about 21 days, the ministry of coal said on Monday, adding that India recorded its highest-ever coal production of nearly 1,048 million tonnes (MT) in the 2024–25 financial year.In a statement, the ministry said that as of Dec 31, total coal stocks at domestic coal-based thermal power plants were estimated at nearly 50.3 MT, over 17% higher than the nearly 43 MT of stocks available on the last day of 2024. India’s thermal power plants had faced severe coal shortage in 2021–22, when fuel stocks at several stations fell to an average of nearly four days. The normative stock ideally required to comfortably operate power plants at an 85% load factor is estimated at 20–23 days.There are about 188 thermal power plants in the country, with an installed capacity of nearly 220 gigawatts.The ministry said thermal power plant stocks crossed the 50 MT-mark on Nov 22, around 80 days earlier than in the previous financial year, when this level was reached on Feb 9. Coal production in the 2024–25 fiscal year was nearly 5% higher than the 998 MT recorded in the previous financial year. The calendar year 2025 saw total coal production of about 1,043 MT.“Abundant and uninterrupted supply of coal to the power sector has led to a reduction in imported coal blending by 54.2% over the last year. Coal imported for blending up to Dec 25 stood at just 5.5 MT, compared with 12 MT in the previous calendar year,” it said.With increased domestic coal production, coal imports during the first nine months of 2024–25 fell by 7.9% to 243.6 MT, compared with 264.6 MT in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This reduction resulted in foreign exchange savings of about $7.9 billion.