Coal Stocks to Hit 60 MT by March-End, But Summer Power Demand Looms

• Coal stocks at thermal power plants are projected to reach 60 million tonnes (MT) by March 31, a 3.4% increase from the fiscal year's opening stock.
• Despite the increase, this level may not be sufficient to meet the anticipated surge in summer electricity demand, falling short of the ideal 72 MT normative requirement.
• Peak power demand hit 245 GW in January, surpassing the previous summer peak, driven by heating demand during North India's cold wave.
• The government forecasts peak power demand to grow at a 7% CAGR over the next five years, up from the current 6%.
• India aims for 1.31 billion tonnes of coal production by FY27 to reduce import dependence, with Coal India targeting a record 1 BT.