Coal imports by Indian power plants have come down 7% on the month to 5.149 MnT in Feb’19 against 5.522 MnT in Jan’19.
However, import volumes had recorded 27% growth Y-o-Y from 4.06 MnT in Feb’18.
A break up of imports based upon its utilisation indicates that coal imports bought for blending with domestic coal decreased 16% M-o-M to 1.703 MnT in Feb’19 against 2.035 MnT in Jan’19. While coal taken by plants designed to run on imported fuel, had fell 1% M-o-M to 3.446 MnT in Feb’19.
In case of imported coal utilised for blending purposes, central and state based plants had posted higher imports from the previous month, while intake of private plants were down m-o-m in Feb’19.
In case of plants deigned to run on imported coal, state sector plant-Sikka, had taken lower import. On the other hand, private sector plants’ coal sourcing had slightly improved on the month in Feb’19.
| Sector | Plants based on Domestic Coal | Plant Based on Imported Coal | ||||
| Feb’19 | Jan’19 | % Change | Feb’19 | Jan’19 | % Change | |
| Central | 0.277 | 0.162 | 72% | – | – | – |
| State | 0.628 | 0.566 | 11% | 0.076 | 0.133 | -43% |
| Private | 0.798 | 1.308 | -39% | 3.370 | 3.354 | 0% |
| Total | 1.703 | 2.035 | -16% | 3.446 | 3.487 | -1% |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in MnT
Adani Power (Mundra) had received the highest coal shipment of 1.384 MnT in Feb’19, followed by Coastal Gujarat power (1.003 MnT), TANGEDCO (0.5536 MnT), JSW Energy (0.46 MnT) and Coastal Energen (0.29 MnT).
Power Plant Coal Stock at Multi Year High: Coal India Ltd has augmented its coal supply to the power sector, to revive them out of the critical situation.
The company has delivered coal at a staggering rate of 277.6 rakes/day in the first 11 months of FY19 (Apr’18-Feb’19), up 6% Y-o-Y from 261.9 rakes/day in the corresponding period of FY18.
Consequently, total coal supplied to the power plants in the period was 441.2 MnT, up 7% Y-o-Y.
Despite CIL’s efforts of increasing its coal supplies, the power plants have been taking imports in excess of 5 MnT since the past 5 months, to remain self competent for demand in the summer.
Notably, total coal imports taken by the power plants have increased 6% Y-o-Y to 55.3 MnT in the first 11 months of FY19, which has helped them to accumulate a 23-month high stock of 30 MnT at the end of Feb’19.
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