By Debjoy Sengupta

October 2, 2018 - In India, domestic coal scarcity has prompted power companies to import 26% more coal in August compared with the same month last year, even though their total coal consumption did not rise. Compared with July, imports were 11% higher while coal consumption by power generators was only 2% more. 

Data from the Central Electricity Authority shows total coal consumption by the power sector in August was around 50 million tonnes — one million tonne more than in July this year and at the same level of August 2017. 

Coal supplied jointly by Coal India and Singareni Collieries was 4.5% less in August compared to July. These two public sector firms sent 10% less coal to power companies in comparison to allocation for the month. In July this year, they supplied 6% less than they were supposed to send. In August 2017, they sent 10% less coal than their monthly allocation for the power sector. 

Captive production was around 1.5% less while procurement from e-auction was around 7.5% less in August this year compared to the previous month (July). Total coal receipt from various sources declined 3% during the period.