Power crisis: Govt asks regulator to allow utilities to import 30% of coal
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India has asked its federal power regulator to allow power generators to import up to 30% of the country’s coal requirement until March next year, according to a power ministry letter seen by Reuters.
India had asked utilities to import 10% of its total requirement, or about 38 million tonnes, to blend with local coal as demand was outstripping supply, adding that delivery of 19 million tonnes had to be ensured by end-June.
However, in a May 18 letter to the secretary of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), a federal power ministry official citing a “public interest” provision in India’s electricity law said it was “imperative” power generators be allowed to use more imported coal.
