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India's coal output hits all-time high in 2024

  • : Coal
  • 25/01/13

India's coal production hit an all-time high last year, led by an uptick in utility demand and a broader government push to boost domestic output.

Combined coal output from domestic sources such as state-controlled Coal India (CIL), Singareni Collieries (SCCL) and captive blocks reached 1.04bn t in calendar year 2024, up by 7pc or 70.4mn t from a year earlier, according to Argus calculations based on coal ministry data. This supported overall supplies, including supplies to utilities and the non-power sector, which reached 1.01bn t, from 950.2mn t in 2023.

The steady increase in domestic coal output and supplies was also led by demand from utilities, as the country's coal-fired generation rose last year, and generators continued to replenish stocks to meet the rising power demand. The strong output also followed India's broader goal to raise local coal production, with an aim to trim imports and meet its broader energy security objective. Delhi has been pushing CIL to ramp up its output, while also seeking higher production from blocks allocated to utilities and the non-power sector.

The growth in production and supplies likely weighed on thermal coal imports in 2024, with seaborne receipts estimated to have dropped last year, a first annual decline since 2021. The dip in India's demand for seaborne cargoes in a well-supplied market was reflected in recent prices, with the GAR 4,200 kcal/kg market for geared Supramaxes falling to a 44-month low of $49.43/t fob Kalimantan on 27 December, the last assessment of 2024. The market eased further to $49.25/t fob Kalimantan on 10 January.

Output mix

Production at state-controlled CIL stood at 785.2mn t in calendar year 2024, up from 756.1mn t a year earlier, while its supplies totalled 757.4mn t in the 12-month period, up from 738.6mn t in 2023, according to Argus calculations based on the company's monthly output data.

State-owned SCCL produced 67.12mn t in 2024, down by 4pc or 2.5mn t in 2023, the coal ministry data showed. But this was more than offset by steady growth in coal production at captive coal blocks allocated to industrial coal consumers, state-government mining companies and some utilities. Coal output from the captive blocks rose to about 187mn t last year, up from 143.3mn t in 2023, the data showed.

The higher captive coal production followed an increase in production from coal blocks allocated to state-controlled utility NTPC, which aims to become one of India's biggest coal producers in coming years. India's policy to auction coal mines for commercial mining by private companies is also beginning to support the overall captive coal output.

Supply mix

Combined domestic coal supplies to utilities from CIL, SCCL and captive blocks reached 831.44mn t, up by 6pc from a year earlier, the coal ministry data showed.

India's coal-fired generation — which meets most of its power requirements — reached 1,293.19TWh last year, up by 5pc from a year earlier, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data show.

Overall domestic coal supplies to non-power consumers such as steel and cement totalled about 179mn t last year, up by 13pc from 2023, according to the coal ministry data. Supplies to captive power units fall under non-power sector as per the data.

India's coal suppy mix (mn t)

India's coal output mix (mn t)

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25/02/17

Philippines to review shutdown of 232MW coal plant

Philippines to review shutdown of 232MW coal plant

Manila, 17 February (Argus) — The Philippines will review plans to retire the 232MW Mindanao coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental province because the rehabilitation of a major regional power complex could cause an electricity supply shortage. The country could put on hold plans to accelerate the retirement of the Mindanao coal plant to 2026 from 2031, the Department of Energy (DoE) said. The plant, majority owned by private-sector Aboitiz Power, started operations in 2006 under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement with the National Power and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management. The plant was originally scheduled to be retired in 2031 once the BOT agreement had run its course and plant ownership transferred to the national government, but authorities later decided to shut it down by 2026. The plant consumes over 1mn t/yr of coal. Authorities might review the retirement plans to offset the loss of power supply from the 1,000MW Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex, which will be rehabilitated next year. The complex comprises seven hydropower plants and serves as a key source of baseload power in the Mindanao grid. It is currently capable of producing only 600-700MW of power because of siltation and ageing infrastructure. Parts of the power complex are over 50 years old and its oldest dam, Agus 6, started commercial operations in April 1971. The rehabilitation involves repairing, replacing and upgrading the components of an existing hydroelectric power plant to restore its functionality, improve efficiency and extend its lifespan. The complex will run at a derated capacity during rehabilitation works, which could take several years. This comes as power demand in the Mindanao grid continued to increase last year. Demand averaged 2.248GW in 2024, a 10.2pc increase from 2.040GW a year earlier. The Mindanao plant could supply enough power to keep the grid stable at its full capacity, by covering for the loss in generating capacity and meeting the increase in power demand, DoE added. By Antonio Delos Reyes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Upper Mississippi River ice tops 5-year average


25/02/13
25/02/13

Upper Mississippi River ice tops 5-year average

Houston, 13 February (Argus) — Ice measurements taken Wednesday to gauge when barges can transit the upper Mississippi River exceeded the five-year average, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The annual Lake Pepin ice reports — taken by the Corps in February and March at Lake Pepin south of Minneapolis — are a bellwether for when barge transit can resume on the upper Mississippi River. This year's first report found ice at the lake was 19in thick on 12 February, 8in thicker than last year's measurement and 3in above the five-year average. The Corps' initial report last year found only 11in of ice at the lake, thin enough for waterborne traffic to break through. Subsequent reports were cancelled after the Corps said it would be too hazardous for crews and equipment to take additional measurements. Locks along the upper Mississippi River are anticipated to remain closed through 3 March, the Rock Island Corps district in Illinois said on 5 February. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

ACBL sets release dates for Illinois River lock


25/02/13
25/02/13

ACBL sets release dates for Illinois River lock

Houston, 13 February (Argus) — Major barge carrier American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) has issued its earliest release dates for Illinois River barges planning to transit the Lockport Lock, which closed for maintenance last month. Release dates will be from 23 February through 19 March for barges expecting to pass through the Lockport Lock over the spring season, ACBL said Wednesday. The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) expects to reopen the Lockport Lock on 25 March, the Corps said when it announced the closure . The Corps closed the lock on 28 January to install new vertical lift gates and make repairs. The closure has cut off major trade hubs such as Chicago, Illinois, and Burns Harbor, Indiana, from Illinois River barge transportation. Lock 27 and the Mel Price Lock above St Louis will remain partially closed through 1 April, as they are also undergoing maintenance by the Corps, ACBL said. The barge line acknowledged higher demurrage rates were likely for those who loaded barges prior to the released dates. Initial transit on the Illinois River is also anticipated to have a significant backlog in the spring months. By Meghan Yoyotte ACBL's Illinois River release dates Origin Port Barges destined above Lockport Lock, on IL River Mobile, AL 25 Feb Houston, TX 23 Feb Weeks Island, LA 26 Feb New Orleans, LA 3 Mar Pittsburgh, PA 2 Mar Cincinnati, OH 5 Mar Decatur, AL 10 Mar Memphis, TN 10 Mar Evanscille, IN 12 Mar Cairo, IL 16 Mar St Louis, MO 19 Mar — ACBL Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US wholesale inflation holds near 2-year high in Jan


25/02/13
25/02/13

US wholesale inflation holds near 2-year high in Jan

Houston, 13 February (Argus) — Prices paid to US producers in January held at nearly a two-year high, another sign of mounting inflation pressures that may keep the Federal Reserve from lowering rates for longer. Prices paid to producers (PPI) rose by 3.5pc in January from a year earlier, matching the prior month's gain, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said today. Analysts surveyed by Trading Economics had forecast a gain of 3.2pc. The PPI number follows a higher-than-expected consumer price reading Wednesday which together reinforce the message that the Federal Reserve may hold off longer on rate cuts, especially in the face of potentially inflationary trade conflicts and migrant roundups under the new US administration. PPI excluding food, energy and trade services rose by 3.4pc in January following a 3.5pc gain in December. PPI for services rose by 4.1pc in January following a 4pc gain in December. Wholesale prices for energy were flat following a 2pc annual decline the prior month. PPI for goods rose by 2.3pc in January following a 1.8pc gain in December On a monthly basis, headline PPI rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.4pc, compared with a 0.5pc gain in December and a 0.2pc increase in November. Services PPI rose by 0.3pc in December, following a monthly gain of 0.5pc in December and a 0.1pc gain in November. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Trump planning rollout of 'reciprocal' tariffs


25/02/07
25/02/07

Trump planning rollout of 'reciprocal' tariffs

Washington, 7 February (Argus) — President Donald Trump is considering announcing "mostly reciprocal tariffs" on an undisclosed number of countries early next week, in a possible shift from a campaign plan to impose universal tariffs of 10-20pc against all imports to the US. Trump did not provide specifics on the idea, but said he would probably have a meeting on 10 or 11 February before making an announcement. The potential rollout of the reciprocal tariffs appears likely to take place after China's planned 10 February date to start collecting a 10pc tariff on crude, coal and LNG from the US that Beijing imposed in response to a 10pc blanket tariff that Trump has placed on Chinese imports. "I think that's the only fair way to do it," Trump said of his plan to "probably" pursue reciprocal tariffs. "That way, nobody's hurt. They charge us, we charge them. It's the same thing. And I seem to be going in that line, as opposed to a flat fee tariff." Trump has said he views tariffs — which he says is his "favorite word" — as a virtually cost-free way to raise revenue that will cut the US trade deficit and boost domestic manufacturing, without raising prices for goods in the US. But earlier this week, Trump delayed his plan to place an across-the-board 25pc tariff on Canada and Mexico just hours before it was set to take effect, as stock markets began to plunge on the threat of the start of a damaging trade war between the US and its two largest trading partners. The vast majority of economists say across-the-board tariffs are an inefficient way of raising revenue, with costs that would fall the hardest on low-income and middle-income US consumers already reeling from years of inflation. US Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) on 2 February said kicking off a tariff war with Canada and Mexico "makes 100pc no sense" and would raise costs for US consumers. Trump discussed his reciprocal tariff idea today during a press conference with Japan's prime minister Shigeru Ishiba. Trump said he wants to "get rid of" the US' trade deficit with Japan he estimates is $100bn/yr, primarily by selling the country US oil, LNG and ethanol. Trump said he also spoke with Ishiba about efforts related to the "pipeline in Alaska", an apparent reference to the proposed 20mn t/yr Alaska LNG project, which is expected to cost more than $40bn and would require building a natural gas pipeline across Alaska. Ishiba said it was "wonderful" that Trump had lifted a temporary pause on LNG licensing on his first day in office, and said Japan was interested in purchasing US LNG, ethanol, ammonia and other resources as a way to cut down on the US trade deficit with Japan. "If we are able to buy those at a stable and reasonable price, I think it would be a wonderful situation," Ishiba said through a translator. Japan is keen to increase its overall investment in the US to $1 trillion, Ishiba said. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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