Non-power sector consumers of coal are likely to face low supply of the dry fuel through January as the Centre is set to continue prioritising supply to the power sector. Non-power sector consumers of coal such as aluminium, steel and cement producers have raised the issue of low coal supplies from Coal India Ltd (CIL) as a result of the Central government’s move to prioritise supply for thermal power plants since July.
Aluminium, steel and cement producers that use domestic coal to power their plants have voiced concerns that low supplies to the sector are raising input costs and that in the case of aluminium producers, a loss of power for a duration as small as two hours would lead to prolonged shutdowns.
