Coal imports taken by Indian power utilities have increased 24% Y-o-Y to 33.917 MnT in the first 6-months of FY20 (Apr-Sep’19), data provided by power ministry showed. The utilities had imported 27.343 MnT coal in the year-ago period.
Higher coal intake by power plants was induced by a subdued coal supplies from the domestic miner CIL, whose coal production has lagged 6% Y-o-Y in the half year period. Apparently, total domestic coal receipt by power utilities was marked 2% lower on the year at 273.67 MnT in H1 FY20 as against 279.53 MnT in H1 FY19.
The resumption of power units at Adani’s Mundra power plant meant that it had cemented its position as the largest importer in H1 FY20, while recording a hefty rise of 67.2% Y-o-Y in the period.
In addition, India’s largest power producer-NTPC had also witnessed a surge in coal imports during the half yearly period. NTPC’s imports saw an exponential rise of 806% Y-o-Y to 1.268 MnT in H1 FY20.
Sector-wise Coal Imports:
Coal imports had seen a positive growth across all the sectors, with private utilities raking in highest coal volume in the half year period. Private power producers’ coal intake increased 18% Y-o-Y to 27.525 MnT in the 6-month period.
However, the private utilities utilizing imported coal for blending purpose had seen their imports falling by 7% Y-o-Y to 5.914 MnT in H1 FY20.
Imports by state power utilities grew 20% Y-o-Y to 4.527 MnT in the 6-months period. While central run power plants’ import supported by NTPC had jumped 483% Y-o-Y in H1 FY20.
| Sector | Plants based on Domestic Coal | Plant Based on Imported Coal | Total Imports | ||||||
| H1 FY20 | H1 FY19 | % Change | H1 FY20 | H1 FY19 | % Change | H1 FY20 | H1 FY19 | % Change | |
| Central | 1.865 | 0.320 | 483% | – | – | – | 1.8648 | 0.320 | 483% |
| State | 3.925 | 3.065 | 28% | 0.603 | 0.716 | -16% | 4.527 | 3.781 | 20% |
| Private | 5.914 | 6.376 | -7% | 21.611 | 16.867 | 28% | 27.525 | 23.243 | 18% |
| Total | 11.703 | 9.761 | 20% | 22.214 | 17.582 | 26% | 33.917 | 27.343 | 24% |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in MnT
Power Plant Coal Stock Hit 10-month low: A subdued coal supply had resulted in a hefty decline in power plant’s coal stock, which has fallen to a 10-month low of 21.514 MnT at the end of Sep’19.
Although, the situation is not yet alarming as accessed levels were noted 44% higher on the year from 14.9 MnT in Sep’18, but will need a close check for coal supplies from utilities having critical stock.
Leave a Reply