New Delhi: Punjab’s thermal power generation has come under scrutiny after the Centre said the state’s own power plants had coal stocks equivalent to around 117% of the normative requirement, even as their average Plant Load Factor (PLF) remained at only about 42% in August 2026.
The Ministry of Coal, responding to reports that inadequate central coal supplies were responsible for lower generation, said sufficient coal had been made available to Punjab’s power plants and that coal availability at the plant end could not explain the low generation.
PSPCL Plants Hold 117% of Normative Coal Stock
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) operates three thermal power plants with a combined capacity of 2,300 MW:
- Guru Hargobind Thermal Power Station, Lehra Mohabbat
- Goindwal Sahib Thermal Power Plant
- Ropar Thermal Power Station
As of September 4, 2026, the Ministry said coal stocks at these plants stood at around 117% of the normative requirement.
However, the average PLF of PSPCL’s three plants during August was only around 42%.
The Ministry therefore said the low generation during the month could not be attributed to inadequate coal stocks at the plants.
Nabha Power Records 93% PLF
The Centre also pointed to the performance of Nabha Power Limited, a private power producer in Punjab.
Nabha Power recorded a PLF of around 93% in August, while receiving coal supplies from Coal India Limited (CIL) sources.
According to the Ministry, the contrasting performance indicates that coal availability has not been a constraint on power generation in the state.
Centre Facilitates Captive-Mine Coal for Punjab IPPs
The Centre said it has facilitated coal movement to independent power plants in Punjab following the commencement of production from PSPCL’s captive Pachhwara Central Coal Mine.
Coal from the mine can be used by IPPs not owned by PSPCL, including:
- Nabha Power Limited, Rajpura
- Talwandi Sabo Power Limited, Mansa
Such IPPs can utilise up to 50% of the mine’s annual production after meeting the requirements of specified end-use plants, subject to statutory payment obligations to Jharkhand.
Coal Offered by CIL Yet to Be Fully Lifted
The Ministry also highlighted a gap between coal offered by Coal India subsidiaries and the quantities booked and lifted by Punjab-based IPPs.
Coal offered under the arrangements cited by the Ministry:
- CCL to NPL & TSPL: 5 lakh tonnes offered; 4.1 lakh tonnes booked; 3.1 lakh tonnes lifted.
- BCCL to NPL: 3.5 lakh tonnes offered; 1.3 lakh tonnes booked; 0.98 lakh tonnes lifted.
The Ministry said timely lifting of the coal already offered by CIL subsidiaries is important for optimising generation from the state’s IPPs.
Centre Calls for Better Plant Utilisation
The Ministry of Coal maintained that both higher utilisation of PSPCL’s own generating capacity and timely lifting of coal by IPPs are necessary to improve power generation in Punjab.
It reiterated that Coal India Limited remains committed to maintaining uninterrupted coal supplies for power generation across the country, including Punjab.
The statement comes amid concerns over power generation in the state, with the Centre maintaining that the available coal stock and generation performance indicate that supply shortages at the plant end are not the primary constraint.
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