The Ministry of Power (MoP) has extended its coal import advisory for domestic coal-based power plants (DCBs) to ensure sufficient fuel reserves during the monsoon season.
Initially issued on October 25, 2023, the advisory mandated a 6 per cent blending of imported coal. This directive was subsequently extended on March 4, 2024. The latest notification now extends this requirement until October 15, 2024, with a revised blending rate of 4 per cent. India’s power demand has been rising sharply, hitting a record peak of 250 GW in May 2024. Despite an increase in domestic coal supply compared to the previous fiscal year, DCB plants are still facing a daily coal receipt and consumption gap of 130,000 tonnes.