New Delhi: Coal India Limited (CIL), the state-owned coal mining giant, reported a 3.5 percent decline in production during the April–August period of FY26. The drop came largely due to lower demand from the power sector.
Production Decline Linked to Lower Peak Power Demand
Provisional data showed that CIL produced 280.2 Million Tonnes (MT) of coal in April–August FY26, compared to 290.4 MT a year earlier. Nearly 80 percent of CIL’s coal output is supplied to the power sector. However, early monsoon conditions kept peak power demand at 241 GW, well below the government’s summer projection of 277 GW.
Coal stock at thermal power plants stood healthy at 50 MT by the end of August. Reflecting the production trend, coal offtake also slipped to 301.9 MT, down 3.3 percent from 312.1 MT in the same period last year.
Subsidiaries Record Mixed Performance
Among subsidiaries, Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) posted the steepest production declines at 18.1 percent and 17.4 percent, respectively. Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), the largest contributor to CIL’s overall output, recorded a 2.8 percent fall. Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) and Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) saw drops of 3.2 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively.
In terms of offtake, CCL again led the decline with a 21.8 percent reduction. BCCL reported a 9.6 percent drop, MCL 0.5 percent, WCL 3.1 percent, and ECL 7 percent.
August Brings Recovery in Output and Offtake
Monthly figures showed signs of revival in August. Coal India registered 9.4 percent growth in production, reaching 50.4 MT. Offtake during the month rose 7.6 percent to 52.7 MT.
Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) recorded the sharpest surge in output at 33.1 percent, followed by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) with 29.8 percent growth. On the other hand, BCCL and CCL registered production declines of 2.6 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively.
For offtake, NCL led with 25.9 percent growth, followed by SECL at 22.7 percent. CCL saw the steepest drop at 22.8 percent, while ECL reported an 11 percent decline.
About Coal India Limited
Coal India Limited (CIL), a Maharatna PSU, is the largest coal producer in the world. Operating through eight subsidiaries, CIL contributes over 80 percent of India’s total coal output. The company plays a crucial role in ensuring fuel security for the power sector while also driving initiatives in mine safety, digitalization, and sustainability.
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