Parliament Question: Coal Allocation to Thermal Power Plants in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4462 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025 Coal Allocation to Thermal Power Plants in Tamil Nadu 4462. Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) the status of coal allocation, dispatch and stock levels at each thermal power plant in Tamil Nadu between April 2024 and July 2025; (b) the Union Government’s response to request made by Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation Limited (TNPGCL) for additional logistics support such as rail rakes to ensure uninterrupted coal transport to power plants; (c) the Union Government's response to request made by Tamil Nadu for coal allocation adjustments or improvements in coal quality; and (d) the details of issues faced by Tamil Nadu due to imported and domestic coal quality during the last year, plant-wise? ANSWER MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY) (a): The status of coal dispatch against the Annual Contracted Quantity (ACQ) under the Long/Medium Term Fuel Supply Agreement to Tamil Nadu-based thermal power plants from Coal India Limited (CIL) between April, 2024 and July, 2025, along with the coal stock at each of these power plants are as under: [Figures in Million Tonnes] 2024-25 2025-26 (till July, 2025) Name of the ACQ Dispatch Closing coal ACQ Dispatch Closing coal Power Plant stock as on (Pro-Rata stock as on 31.03.2024 basis) 31.07.2025 TANGEDCO/ Tamil Nadu Power Generation 18.600 18.960 0.932 6.010 4.970 1.021 Corporation Limited (TNPGCL) NTECL Vallur 6.870 6.400 0.595 2.220 2.020 0.783 The status of coal dispatch from Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) to Tamil Nadu- based Central/State TPPs between the period April, 2024 and July, 2025, along with the coal stock at each of these power plants is as under: [Figures in Million Tonnes] 2024-25 2025-26 (till July, 2025) Name of the ACQ Dispatch Closing coal ACQ Dispatch Closing coal Power Plant stock as on (Pro-Rata stock as on 31.03.2024 basis) 31.07.2024 North Chennai TPS 1.971 0.537 0.364 0.637 0.270 0.291 (NCTPS) Stage-III 1NTECL - 0.344* 0.595 - - 0.783 MTPS I & II - 1.828* 0.391 - - 0.347 *Coal supplied under Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on best effort basis. Coal linkages have also been granted for 50% of the installed capacity of Uppur Super Critical TPP (2 x 800 MW); Udangudi Stage-I (2 x 660 MW); Ennore SEZ (2 x 660 MW) of TANGEDCO/ TNPGCL and to develop Ennore TPS Expansion (1 x 660 MW) of TNPGCL. (b): The supply of coal to the power plants including TNPGCL is a continuous process. Coal supply is continuously monitored by the coal companies, power companies and by an Inter-Ministerial Sub- Group comprising of representatives from Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), CIL and SCCL which meets regularly to take various operational decisions to enhance supply of coal to Thermal Power Plants. The meetings of the Sub- Group Committee are attended by the representatives of the power plants including TNPGCL. Based on the requirement and the coal stock position, allocation of rakes is recommended by the Sub- Group. The Sub-Group closely monitors rake allocation and movement to maintain supply continuity. Logistical interventions by coal companies and the Sub-Group, undertaken in collaboration with Railways, ensure allocation of sufficient railway rakes to the power plants of TNPGCL as well as faster coal movement from coal mines to its power plants, thereby reducing transit delays & ensuring steady plant operations. (c) & (d): With regard to coal allocation adjustments, the coal linkage granted earlier for 50% of the installed capacity of TNPGCL Ennore TPS Expansion (1 x 660 MW) has been surrendered by TNPGCL. Further, on request of TNPGCL and recommendation of Ministry of Power, coal linkage has now been earmarked to the State of Tamil Nadu for the entire capacity of 660 MW to develop Ennore TPS Expansion (1 x 660 MW) of TNPGCL. As regards quality of domestic coal, TNPGCL raised the issue of higher percentage of ash content in domestic coal while for imported coal, TNPGCL has not faced any quality issue. To address quality issues in domestic coal, the coal companies place special emphasis on quality management to enhance customer satisfaction. Following measures have also been taken by coal companies under the guidance of Ministry of Coal to improve the quality of coal: - (i) To address the concerns of coal consumers regarding the quality of coal supplied by the coal companies, a Standard Operating Procedure for Third Party Sampling & Analysis of coal at the loading end was issued by Ministry of Coal on 26.11.2015. Sampling of coal at the loading end is conducted through Independent Third-Party Sampling Agencies (TPSAs). The consumers are free to engage any of the empaneled agencies. (ii) First Mile Connectivity (FMC) Projects, equipped with rapid loading systems for improved coal blending, dispatch of less than 100 mm coal and to maintain coal quality consistency have been undertaken by coal companies. (iii) Consumer Grievance Redressal - All quality related complaints received through consumer grievance portal are addressed promptly. Due to a continuous emphasis in ensuring supply of declared quality of coal, the overall final grade conformity (including referee results) of coal supplied by Coal India Limited has steadily improved from 62% in FY 2015-16 to 85% in FY 2025-26 (till 30.06.2025) ***** 2