Coal news and updates

Power shortage: States told to step up coal imports

Union power minister RK Singh told state power generation companies (gencos) on Tuesday to alter their fuel mix by using up to 10% imported coal to boost their output, as the country’s power shortage crossed 105 million units (MUs) on April 12, compared with the recent peak of 82 MUs on October 12, 2021. Separately, the power ministry allowed the gencos run by state governments to use tolling facility for up to 25% linkage coal, a move which would enable them to optimally utilise their fuel quotas in the plants nearer to the mines and boost their electricity output. The extra power produced thanks to the facility could be used by the gencos to supply to the states facing power deficits at negotiated tariffs.

Out of 173 pit head/non pit-head power plants in the country, 77 were operating with coal stocks of less than 7 days on April 12. This means their fuel stocks are barely 25% of the normative requirement.