India, ranking as the world’s third-largest consumer of energy, has experienced a substantial 8.18% upsurge in power generation from April to October 2023, compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. This remarkable escalation in power generation has been primarily attributed to various factors, including an 11.16% surge in coal-based power generation during this period.
The surge in power production has been a response to the unprecedented rise in temperatures, delayed monsoons in the Northern region of the country, and the gradual resumption of full commercial activities post-Covid. These factors collectively contributed to an increased demand for electricity, resulting in a significant uptick in power generation activities across the nation.
The domestic coal-based power generation soared to 686.7 Billion Units (BU) until October 2023, marking an 8.88% increase from the 630.7 Billion Units (BU) generated during the same period in the previous year. Notably, despite the escalating power demand, the coal import for blending reduced significantly by 46.57% to 13.57 Million Tonnes (MT) up to October 2023, from 25.4 MT in the corresponding period of the previous year.
This drastic reduction in coal import for blending highlights India’s dedicated commitment to self-reliance in coal production and a strategic initiative to curtail overall coal imports. The government’s persistent efforts aim to further augment domestic coal production, thereby increasing its availability and concurrently reducing the reliance on imported coal, effectively safeguarding foreign reserves.
The surge in power generation, particularly from coal-based sources, underscores the nation’s strides toward meeting the burgeoning energy demands, emphasizing self-sufficiency in coal production, and minimizing reliance on imported resources to fortify the country’s energy security.