The inexplicable energy sink: Addressing efficiency and sustainability gaps in india’s coal-to-power value chain

Despite major policy reforms in India’s coal and power sectors — including third-party sampling at both dispatch and receipt points and the shift from as fired to as received GCV measurement — large discrepancies in gross calorific value (GCV) between mine and plant continue to be reported. This paradox is striking, as both sectors now follow identical, standardized procedures, yet even pithead plants located just kilometres from mines show substantial GCV losses. This study applies statistical analysis and national rainfall data to test whether these reported losses align with sectoral norms and global research benchmarks. The findings reveal that observed transit-related (GCV) losses often exceed physically plausible limits, pointing to systemic inconsistencies, sampling deviations, or procedural flaws. Understanding the nature and extent of these gaps is vital to reduce unnecessary coal procurement, lower electricity tariffs, and improve sustainability across India’s coal-to-power value chain.