Coal imports by Indian power plants have decreased by 4% during the first 6-months of FY19. Monthly imports also reversed its rising trend by falling 2% M-o-M in Sep’18.
Data provided by Power ministry indicates that imports by the plants had fell to 27.343 MnT during Apr’18-Sep’18 period against 28.38 MnT recorded in Apr’17-Sep’17. Monthly import in Sep’18 was 4.87 MnT against 4.95 MnT in Aug’18.
A plant wise break up of imports indicates that the imported coal received by plants designed to run on domestic coal had registered a growth of 19% on the year to 9.761 MnT in H1 FY19. While imports by plants designed on imported coal, had fell 13% on the year to 17.582 MnT in the half yearly period.
Amongst the plants utilising imported coal for blending purpose, Central sector plants had seen their imports falling by 64% on the year to 0.32 MnT in H1 FY19.
However, significant rise was recorded by state sector power plants whose imports had surged more than two folds to 3.065 MnT. Private sector plants’ sourcing increased 6% on the year to 6.376 MnT in H1 FY19.
Of the plants designed on imported coal, state-run-Sikka TPS from Gujarat had witness 28% increase in imported coal sourcing. Imports by private plants had dropped 14% Y-o-Y to 16.867 MnT in H1 FY19.
| Sector | Plants based on Domestic Coal | Plant Based on Imported Coal | Total Imports | ||||||
| H1 FY19 | H1 FY18 | % Change | H1 FY19 | H1 FY18 | % Change | H1 FY19 | H1 FY18 | % Change | |
| Central | 0.320 | 0.896 | -64% | – | – | – | 0.32 | 0.896 | -64% |
| State | 3.065 | 1.253 | 145% | 0.716 | 0.561 | 28% | 3.781 | 1.814 | 108% |
| Private | 6.376 | 6.040 | 6% | 16.867 | 19.630 | -14% | 23.243 | 25.67 | -9% |
| Total | 9.761 | 8.189 | 19% | 17.582 | 20.191 | -13% | 27.343 | 28.38 | -4% |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in MnT
Low Stock Position at Plants:
Power plants’ coal consumption has been steadily rising with a spurt in power demand, which has resulted in a state where the plants despite receiving an elevated coal supply are continuously struggling to restock coal.
As per the data provided by CEA, total coal receipt by plants has increased 10% Y-o-Y to 306.876 MnT in H1 FY19 wherein due to a rise in domestic coal supply, imports were slightly lower on the year.
However, with a 4.54% Y-o-Y increase in coal consumption, combined coal stock at power plants have now reached an 11-month low of 14.9 MnT at the end of Sep’18. With demand for power expected to remain firm, plants would be boosting more imports to replenish their stock levels.
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