Coal imports by Indian power plants have risen on the month in Dec’18, driven by higher intake from the private sector plants.
As per the data provided by Power ministry, the power plants had imported 5.541 MnT coal in Dec’18, up 8% M-o-M from 5.151 MnT in Nov’18. The total was also 15% higher on the year from 4.827 MnT in Dec’17.
A plant wise break up of imports indicates that coal received by plants designed on domestic coal as well as those designed on imported coal, had noted a rise during Dec’18, primarily riding on the higher intakes by the private sector plants.
| Sector | Plants based on Domestic Coal | Plant Based on Imported Coal | |||||
| Dec’18 | Nov’18 | % Change | Sector | Dec’18 | Nov’18 | % Change | |
| Central | 0.065 | 0.2454 | -74% | Central | – | – | – |
| State | 0.4731 | 0.6711 | -30% | State | 0.073 | 0.1622 | -55% |
| Private | 1.3152 | 0.8387 | 57% | Private | 3.6151 | 3.2336 | 12% |
| Total | 1.8533 | 1.7552 | 6% | Total | 3.688 | 3.3958 | 9% |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in MnT
Coal Imports by plants designed on domestic coal rose 6% M-o-M to 1.8533 MnT in Dec’18.
Out of which, intake by central and state sector plant was down 74% and 30% on the month respectively, in Dec’18. Intake by private sector plants, however, increased 57% M-o-M to 1.3152 MnT in Dec’18.
Coal receipt by plants designed to run on imported fuel had also risen on the month, recorded at 3.6881 MnT in Dec’18.
A fall was noted in state based Sikka power plant’s coal sourcing, while total intake made by the private sector plants in this category had increased 12% M-o-M to 3.6151 MnT in Dec’18.
Total Imports in the 9-month period:
Despite government’s claim to reduce coal imports, the rise in power demand has seen higher coal imports by the plants in the 9-month period.
Total imports taken by the plants in the first 9-months of FY19 (Apr’18-Dec’18) has increased 2% Y-o-Y to 44.64 MnT compared with 43.616 MnT taken in the same period of FY18.
The rise was majorly contributed by the state run power plants, which have increased their imported coal sourcing, while a rather subdued imports was seen among the private sector plants.
As per the data, total imports by state run power plants designed to run on domestic coal, have recorded a remarkable growth of 178% Y-o-Y to 4.8357 MnT in the 9-month period of F19 compared with 1.7475 MnT in same period of FY18.
As a matter of fact, state run power board MPPGCL (Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company) has received imported coal in Dec’18, for the first time over the two year period.
Coal Stock at power plants:
Combined coal stock at the power plants was recorded at 21.66 MnT at the end of Dec’18, indicates that the stock levels have now rose to their highest levels since Jul’17.
Coal consumption had slightly rebounded on the month but was well balanced by an appreciable coal receipt made to the power plants in Dec’18.
As per the data provided by CEA, total coal allocation to the plants was 56.34 MnT in Dec’18, while monthly consumption was 52.275 MnT.
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