Coal Ministry says Punjab's power plants have adequate coal, including from PSPCL's Pachhwara captive mine
On 6 September 2026, the Ministry of Coal rejected reports blaming low thermal generation in Punjab on short coal supply, saying the Centre had enabled supply from PSPCL's captive Pachhwara Central coal mine to private plants.
Summary
The Ministry of Coal said on 6 September 2026 that media reports attributing reduced generation at Punjab's thermal plants to inadequate coal supply from the Centre did not give the full picture. The Ministry said adequate coal had been made available and that Coal India Limited remains committed to uninterrupted supply. The Centre enabled coal from the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL)'s captive Pachhwara Central Coal Mine to reach Independent Power Plants in Punjab, subject to statutory payments to the State of Jharkhand, where the mine is located.
Key facts
- Issued by
- Ministry of Coal, 6 Sep 2026
- Issue
- Reports of low thermal generation in Punjab blamed on coal supply
- Mine
- Pachhwara Central Coal Mine (PSPCL captive)
- Measure
- Supply to Independent Power Plants enabled
- Condition
- Statutory payment obligation to Jharkhand
Practice MCQs 1 questions
The Pachhwara Central Coal Mine, from which the Centre enabled coal supply to Independent Power Plants in Punjab, is a captive mine of which company?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd
Pachhwara Central is PSPCL's captive mine; supply to IPPs was enabled subject to statutory payments to Jharkhand.