Coal Supply to Punjab Power Plants Adequate, Says Centre

New Delhi – On Sunday the Ministry of Coal stepped in to clear the air about the fuel crunch rumors swirling around Punjab’s power sector. According to the ministry, the state’s thermal stations are sitting on more than enough coal, and any dip in electricity output is not because the coal isn’t there.

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) runs three big‑size thermal plants – Guru Hargobind at Lehra Mohabbat, Goindwal Sahib, and Ropar – together totalling about 2,300 MW. As of 4 September, the coal inventory at these sites was roughly 117 % of the normative requirement, a clear sign that the fuel is plentiful.

Yet, despite this comfortable stockpile, the plants managed a modest Plant Load Factor (PLF) of just 42 % in August 2026. The ministry’s statement pointed out that such a low PLF cannot be blamed on coal shortages.

In stark contrast, Nabha Power Limited, a private independent power producer (IPP) based in Punjab, logged a PLF of around 93 % in the same month – thanks to steady coal deliveries from Coal India Limited (CIL). This shows that when the fuel arrives on time, the plants can run at full tilt.

Since the start of captive‑mine production, the centre has been nudging coal towards IPPs in Punjab. Coal from PSPCL’s own Pachhwara Central mine is now allowed to be used by non‑PSPCL IPPs – such as Nabha Power (Rajpura) and Talwandi Sabo Power (Mansa) – up to half of the mine’s annual output, provided statutory payments to Jharkhand are met.

However, the ministry admits that while CIL’s subsidiaries have offered sizeable coal blocks to these IPPs, the actual booking and lifting have lagged. For example, Coal‑cane Ltd (CCL) offered 5 lakh tonnes to Nabha Power and Talwandi Sabo in March 2026, of which only about 4.1 lakh tonnes were booked and 3.1 lakh tonnes lifted. Similarly, Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) offered 3.5 lakh tonnes, but just 1.3 lakh tonnes were booked and 0.98 lakh tonnes lifted.

The ministry concluded by urging the IPPs to lift their allotted coal promptly and calling for better utilisation of PSPCL’s own plants. It stressed that both steps are essential to optimise power generation and meet Punjab’s electricity needs.