India has extended by eight months the operation of power plants using imported coal, as high consumption and poor supply deplete domestic stocks of the fuel, according to a government order reviewed by Reuters.
The order invoked emergency powers in asking such plants, with a capacity of nearly 17 gigawatts, to operate so as to meet high demand for electricity until next June.
“It is imperative that … power from imported coal-based generating stations is available to meet demand,” the government said in Monday’s order.
It cited a surge in demand for electricity, inadequate domestic coal supply and limited hydropower.
