According to the data provided by Power Ministry, coal imports by the Indian power plants have dropped to its lowest monthly total noted from the previous FY18.
Power utilities coal import was recorded at 3.731 MnT in Apr’18, down 8% M-o-M from 4.396 MnT in Mar’18. On the yearly basis, imports had fell 22% from 4.798 MnT in Apr’17.
Coastal Gujarat (CGPL) was the largest coal receiver in Apr’18, followed by TANGEDCO, IL & FS power, JSW Energy.
Adani Power has reported a significant fall in coal imports after the closure of 8 power units at its Mundra plant in Gujarat. Imports at the plant had declined 93% Y-o-Y to 0.091 MnT in Apr’18, against 1.322 MnT in Apr’17.
State power utilities reported higher imports in Apr’18:
Power plants based on domestic coal, had imported 1.427 MnT coal for blending purpose. Monthly import was 9% down from 1.569 MnT in Mar’18.
No coal was imported by the central sector power plants, while private power utilities had witnessed a fall of 32% in monthly coal imports in Apr’18. However, state run power plants’ coal import had increased 52% M-o-M to 0.704 MnT in Apr’18.
Power plants designed on imported coal had also receive lesser coal on the monthly basis. Total imports by plants declined 19% M-o-M to 2.304 MnT in Apr’18 against 2.827 MnT in Mar’18.
State run Sikka power plant of GSECL had imported 0.17 MnT coal during the month, which was 62% more than its previous total of 0.105 MnT in Mar’18. Private plants’ coal import fell 22% M-o-M to 2.134 MnT in Apr’18.
| Sector | Plants based on Domestic Coal | Plants based on Imported Coal | ||||
| Apr’18 | Mar’18 | M-o-M | Apr’18 | Mar’18 | M-o-M | |
| Central | 0 | 0.049 | -100% | – | – | – |
| State | 0.704 | 0.462 | 52% | 0.17 | 0.105 | 62% |
| Private | 0.723 | 1.058 | -32% | 2.134 | 2.722 | -22% |
| Total | 1.427 | 1.569 | -9% | 2.304 | 2.827 | -19% |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in MnT
Coal Stock Position:
Indian power stations had reported a closing stock of 20.6 MnT coal at the end of Apr’18, which was 3% lower on the month compared with 21.324 MnT in Mar’18.
Power plant’s total receipt of 52.651 MnT coal from CIL/SCCL, E-auctions and imports, was 6% lesser on the month from 55.724 MnT in Mar’18. While the monthly coal consumption was 53.422 MnT during the month.
With the decline in available coal stocks, power utilities coal import is expected to increase in the coming months.
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