Coal India on Friday said supplies to the power sector have hit a record high of 493 million tonnes (mt) for a fiscal year even with 28 days left to go in March. The previous high was 491.5mt in 2018-19.

Supply to the power sector in the 11 months of April-February rose 23 per cent annually to 488mt from 398mt.

The miner said a major challenge was to adjust supplies to the fluctuating demand from the generators.

After a muted growth for two years, coal-based power generation rose sharply by 11.2 per cent till January from a year ago.

This required Coal India to push additional quantities of coal for thermal power generation. Coal India produced 542.4mt till February, an increase of 11 per cent.

Total offtake during the 11 months rose to 600mt from 514.4mt a year ago.

Coal India officials said they expect both production and offtake to hit a record this fiscal. Supplies to power had hit the peak on March 3.

Supply is projected at 660-670mt, while production is expected to be around 630mt.

Supplies to the power sector are expected to be around 548mt, according to the Central Electricity Authority.

Current coal stock of 43mt at the pitheads is expected to increase by the end of the financial year.

The stocks will play a crucial role in meeting the anticipated surge in demand from the power plants in the summer.