India’s coal production rises 11.65% in 2023-24

30 Jul 2024 Evaluate

India’s coal production increased by 11.65% to 997.26 million tonnes (MT) in 2023-24 as compared to 893.19 MT in 2022-23. The actual demand for coal increased to 1233.86 MT in 2023-24 from 1115.04 MT in 2022-23. In order to meet future demand of coal through indigenous sources and to reduce non-essential import of coal, domestic coal production is expected to grow by 6-7% annually in next few years to reach about 1.5 billion tonne by 2029-30.

Considering the decline in the performance of the washeries of Coal India (CIL), the largest government-owned-coal-producer and the burgeoning demand of the washed coking coal in the Steel Sector, Government has taken the route of monetization of the old washeries for enhancing the washed coking coal capacity. In line with this, Government has approved creation of a new sub-sector under the Non-Regulated Sector linkage auctions with the nomenclature of ‘Steel using Coking coal through WDO route'. Creation of the new sub-sector with the assurance for long term coal linkage from the identified mines for the entire term of the contract period shall lead to monetization of coking coal washeries, thereby increasing the availability of washed coking coal in the country. It is also expected that the new sub-sector will lead to enhanced domestic coking coal consumption in the Steel Industry in the country.

To substitute Import of Coking Coal, the current domestic blending of coking coal by steel sector to be increased from present 10-12% to 30-35%. Accordingly, Ministry of coal has launched Mission Coking Coal in FY22 to meet the domestic coking coal demand projected in National steel policy 2017. Following transformative measures taken by Ministry of Coal under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of PM, domestic raw Coking Coal production is likely to reach 140 MT by 2030. The Government of India has approved a Financial Support Scheme with Rs 8500 crore outlay as viability gap funding to promote setting up of Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects for both PSUs and the private sector. The approved scheme covers projects under three categories with a total incentive payout of Rs 8500 crore. 

Category I, with a provision of Rs 4050 crore, is for Government PSUs. They can submit proposals for funding assistance, and three selected projects will receive a maximum grant of Rs 1350 crore or 15% of project cost, whichever is lower as VGF. Category II, with Rs 3850 crore, is available to both private sector and government PSUs with a maximum grant of Rs 1000 crore or 15% of project cost, whichever is lower as VGF. Category III, allocates Rs 600 crore for demonstration or small-scale projects with maximum outlay per project of Rs 100 crore or 15% of project cost, whichever is lower.

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