Coal Ministry clarifies on Punjab power crisis: Coal supply is sufficient and continuous

The Ministry of Coal has refuted recent media reports claiming that a power crisis in Punjab has deepened due to a shortage of coal. The Ministry clarified that sufficient coal is being supplied to Punjab's power plants, and Coal India Limited (CIL) is fully prepared to ensure uninterrupted power generation across the country.

According to the Ministry, the primary reason for the decline in power generation at Punjab's thermal power plants is not a lack of coal. Data indicates that as of September 11, 2026, coal stocks at PSPCL plants were at approximately 114 percent of the standard requirement. Despite this, the Plant Load Factor (PLF) of these plants remained around 59 percent during September.

The central government has taken several steps to facilitate the movement of coal to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Punjab. Supplies from the PSPCL's captive Pachwara Central coal mine have also been enabled. However, the Ministry noted that the state needs to improve the lifting of coal from its captive mines, as dispatch levels have been lower than production targets.

CIL subsidiaries have actively offered additional coal to Punjab-based IPPs, but bookings and lifting have remained below the offered quantities. The Ministry emphasized that IPPs must ensure timely booking and lifting of coal to meet the rising power demand.

Additionally, reports of technical breakdowns in some IPP plants have been noted and are being monitored. The Ministry stated that better utilization of PSPCL's own plants and operational improvements in IPPs are crucial for optimizing power generation.

The Ministry of Coal and CIL remain fully committed to providing coal to Punjab under the existing fuel supply arrangements. The Ministry reiterated that optimal use of RCR mode and rail-based arrangements is being made to increase coal availability.

Finally, the Ministry clarified that there are no bottlenecks in the coal supply chain for maintaining power generation in Punjab. The full support of the central government and CIL continues to be available to meet the state's requirements, provided that the state and its plants ensure timely lifting of the allocated coal.