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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1904
ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026
COAL SUPPLY TO THERMAL POWER PLANT IN TAMIL NADU
1904 SHRI R. DHARMAR:
Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has allocated coal linkages to thermal power plants in the State
of Tamil Nadu during the last five years;
(b) the details of coal supplied to Tamil Nadu, year-wise, including quantity allocated
and actual supply;
(c) whether any shortfall in coal supply has affected power generation in the State;
(d) the steps taken by Government to ensure uninterrupted coal supply to the State; and
(e) whether Government proposes to enhance coal allocation or facilitate
alternative arrangements for the State?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES
(SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)
(a): Yes Sir, since the year 2020, coal linkages have been granted for North Chennai Thermal
Power Station Stage-III (1 x 800 MW); Uppur Super Critical TPP (2 x 800 MW); Udangudi
Stage-I (2 x 660 MW); and Ennore SEZ (2 x 660 MW) of TANGEDCO/ TNPGCL under Para
B (i) of erstwhile SHAKTI Policy, 2017. Coal linkage has also been earmarked to the State of
Tamil Nadu for a capacity of 660 MW under Revised SHAKTI Policy, 2025 to develop Ennore
TPS Expansion (1 x 660 MW).
(b): The details of coal supplied by Coal India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company
Limited to TNPGCL against the Annual Contracted Quantity (ACQ) from 2021-22 are as
under:
[Figures in Million Tonnes] [Provisional]
Singareni Collieries Company
Coal India Limited Limited
%
Year ACQ Despatch % Materialization ACQ Despatch Materialization
2021-22 19.9 15.0 75.2 0 0 0
2022-23 18.6 17.9 96.4 0 0 02023-24 18.6 19.1 102.6 0 0 0
2024-25 18.6 19.0 101.9 0.821 0.536 65
2025-26
(Upto January, 15.1 13.0 85.7 2.69 0.672 25
2026) (Pro-rated)
Coal is supplied by the coal companies against the ACQ based on the loading requisitions
submitted by TNPGCL.
(c): No shortfall in power generation has been reported by the power plants in Tamil Nadu due
to shortage of coal. Further, as on 28.02.2026, the coal stock available with the plants located
in Tamil Nadu is around 2470.1 TT (thousand tons) which is sufficient to run plants for average
of 15 days calculated at 85% PLF (plant load factor).
(d): Supply of coal to the power plants including the power plants of Tamil Nadu 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), Coal
India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company Limited 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. 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, as well as
faster coal movement from coal mines to its power plants, thereby reducing transit delays &
ensuring steady plant operations.
Besides, an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has also been constituted comprising of
Chairman, Railway Board; Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Secretary, Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change and Secretary, Ministry of Power; to monitor augmentation of coal
supply and power generation capacity. Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and
Chairperson, CEA are co-opted as Special Invitees as and when required by the IMC.
(e): The power plants of TNPGCL have adequate availability of coal. Further, fresh coal
linkages are earmarked to a State, as per the request of the respective State and upon the
recommendation from Ministry of Power under the provisions of Window-I of Revised
SHAKTI Policy, 2025 for coal allocation to the Power Sector. Power Plants including State
Gencos may also secure coal linkages on auction basis under Window-II of Revised SHAKTI
Policy, 2025.
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