Coal as a Transitional Energy Source and Energy Mix Strategy
As the LPG crisis deepened, coal emerged as a substitute fuel for industry, power generation, and some commercial establishments. India's coal sector — dominated by Coal India Limited (CIL) — holds strategic importance as the backbone of India's electricity generation.
- India is the world's second-largest producer and consumer of coal; Coal India Limited (CIL) accounts for approximately 80% of domestic coal production.
- India maintained approximately 210 million metric tonnes of coal stock as of March 2026, providing about 88 days of supply coverage.
- The Coal Ministry's National Coal Gasification Mission targets 100 million tonnes of coal gasified annually by 2030, producing methanol, ammonia, and synthetic gas as LPG substitutes.
- The government earmarked ₹3,525 crore in 2026-27 for coal and lignite gasification — the largest single component of the Coal Ministry's central sector spending.
- Coal gasification converts coal to syngas (CO + H₂), which can be used for power, fertiliser production, and potentially as a cooking fuel substitute.
● Tracked since March 11, 2026 · last seen March 11, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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