Govt sets end-june coal import targets as power woes mount
India has asked state and private sector utilities to ensure delivery of 19 million tonnes (mt) of coal from overseas by end-june, according to a power ministry letter, reflecting an urgency to secure supplies in a pricey market amid increasing blackouts.
The move, which marks the first time the world’s second largest coal importer is issuing timelines for imports, can put pressure on the global prices of coal as the utilities rush to avoid a repeat of the electricity crisis in April.
If the timelines are adhered to, the imports by the states and private utilities over the next five months for blending with domestic coal will surpass annual imports by the entities in at least six years.
An unrelenting heatwave pushed electricity demand to a record high in April, leading to the worst power crisis in over six years and forcing India to go back on a policy to cut down coal imports. The Centre has asked state-owned utilities to import over 22 mt of coal and private power plants to import 15.94 mt, the ministry said in a letter reviewed by Reuters.
The ministry asked all utilities to ensure delivery of 50 per cent of the allocated quantity by June 30, another 40 per cent by end-august and the remaining 10 per cent by the end of October, according to the letter to top officials at state energy departments and heads of private power plants.
State government-run utilities have not imported for blending more than 7.1 mt and private firms not more than 13.1 mt since at least the year ending March 2017. Data predating year ended March 2017 is not available. The ministry did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
Utilities are not obligated to honour the Centre’s directives, but two government officials who attended meetings related to rising power demand said states were warned of blackouts if the suggested quantities were not imported. at 49.7 mt. Coal supplies to the power sector by CIL were 15.6 per cent higher in the last month on yearly basis in the wake of high demand of the dry fuel from electricity generating plants.