Parliament Question: Coal supply to thermal power plant in Tamil Nadu

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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