Power tariff to rise 60-70 paise per unit for blending imported coal: Min

Coal import for 10 per cent blending for the electricity plants to avoid blackouts will result in a rise in power tariff by 60-70 paise per unit, Union minister R K Singh said on Thursday.

This has to be done to avoid power shortage as domestic coal supply is unable to match the electricity companies’ demand for the dry fuel, Singh said.

Energy consumption has jumped about 25 per cent and peak demand has also risen by 15 per cent in the last one year, the Union power minister said.

“We have asked power plants to blend 10 per cent imported coal to avoid blackout as domestic coal production is not enough. Imported coal costs Rs 17,000-18,000 per tonne while domestic coal price is about Rs 2,000 per tonne.