‘Solar power of 3,000 MW capacity by FY28 top priority’

May end was at 104 MT, while the domestic coal-based power plants are stocked with nearly 56 MT.

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Coal India has charted out a ₹16,000-crore capex plan for financial year 2025-26 spread across coal production, renewable energy (RE) and thermal power projects. With a coal production target of 875 million tonne in FY26, the state-owned firm is also advancing its diversification into solar, coal gasification, thermal power, and critical minerals, CMD PM Prasad tells Arunima Bharadwaj.

What is Coal India's target for coal output in FY26?

Coal India (CIL) has been given an 875 million tonne (MT) coal output target for FY26. For the power sector, we are aiming at 668 MT. The actual supply to power utilities during FY25 was 116 MT. Target for coking coal production is pegged at 76 MTs.

What is your capital expenditure plan for FY26?

CIL as a whole has a capex target of ₹16,000 crore for FY26. Depending on the requirement, this may even go up. During the past few years, we have already heavily invested in large equipment, land, evacuation infrastructure, etc. Of this year's total capex, cumulatively, coal transportation and evacuation infrastructure which includes setting up rail sidings and corridors; coal handling plants/silos; and roads account for over a third at nearly ₹5,622 crore. This is followed by land, at ₹2,382 crore. Heavy earth moving equipment, washeries, and other plant and machinery make up ₹1,952 crore. Other heads consume the remaining capex.

What are the key sectors CIL is diversifying into? How much will you invest?