Indonesian Ambassador to India, Sidharto R Suryodipuro expressed optimism about the future of Indonesian coal in India market although the latter is currently trying to shrink reliance on imported coal.
“India is currently working to boost local production of coal and reducing reliance on import, but Indonesian (coals) are still needed (in India) for blending. There are also even power plants in India designed to use coal from Indonesia,” Sidharto, speaking from India told a webinar meeting in Indonesia organized by the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (ICMA) on Thursday.
Sidharto said Indonesian coal represents about 60 percent of India’s total import on coal annually. According to him, coal demand in India would return to normal in line with the expected improving of economic condition of India next year after the recent spread of corona virus pandemic.
In 2019, India imported 103.64 million tons (MnT) of thermal coal and 1.89 MnT of coking coal from Indonesia. South Africa was the second largest coal source for India with import volume of 39.99 million tons of thermal coal in 2019.
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