The coal (including Lignite) based generation capacity in the country is about 230.8 GW and its share in the total electricity supplied from April to June 2026 is 69.54 %. Further, the maximum generation achieved from such power plants is about 188.8 GW (around 75% of the total generation - 251.4 GW) during non-solar peak demand hours.

As on 12.07.2026, 42.8 Million Tonnes (MT) coal stock is available at the Thermal Power Plants, sufficient for 14 days at 85% Plant Load Factor (PLF).  Also, sufficient coal is being received by the Thermal power Plants at present to meet the daily demands.

The scheduled maintenance of thermal units is planned in advance by taking into consideration the demand scenario for different months. It is a standard practice to minimize scheduled maintenance during the peak months. CEA further monitors & permits deferment on case-to-case basis based on the technical parameters of the plant if increased demand necessitates so.

To integrate renewable energy sources in the electricity grid, "Central Electricity Authority (Flexible Operation of Coal based Thermal Power Generating Units) Regulations, 2023" has been notified on 30.01.2023, which mandates all coal based thermal power generating units to achieve minimum technical level of 40% as per the phasing plan specified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) from time to time.

Government of India has taken various initiatives to ensure uninterrupted thermal power generation during peak demand periods and are given below:

1. During FY 2025-26, 9,470 MW Thermal capacity has been added and further 2,260 MW has been commissioned during current Financial Year. Coal supply to the Thermal Power Plants is presently being monitored on daily basis through a joint committee of Ministry of Power, Railways and Ministry of Coal.
2. Priority to coal rakes and coal dispatch to power houses has also been accorded.
3. Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) comprising Chairman, Railway Board; Secretary, Ministry of Coal and Secretary, Ministry of Power is being held regularly to closely review coal supplies to Thermal Power Plants.
4. About 2,669 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) & 7,426 MW of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) have been commissioned till date to supplement the power generation by the thermal plants during the non-solar hours. These Energy Storage Systems (BESS / PSP) store the excess power generated during solar hours and utilize the stored electricity primarily during non-solar hours.

This information was given by The Minister of State in the Ministry of Power, Shri Shripad Naik, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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NR/MD