Centre extends mandate on imported coal power plants to run till Jun 2024
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.
