February 19, 2019 - Indian power utilities imported around 50.16 million mt of thermal coal over April 2018-January 2019, registering a 4.6% growth compared with the corresponding period a year go, according to latest data released Monday by India's Central Electricity Authority, or CEA.

Of the total, around 17.32 million mt was imported by 30 utilities for blending purposes, while 32.84 million mt was imported by nine utilities, which run their thermal power stations on imported coal only.

Adani Power's Mundra thermal power plant had imported the highest volume of thermal coal in the first eleven months (April 2018-January 2019) of the ongoing fiscal year at around 10.43 million mt, followed by Tata Power's Mundra ultra mega power plant at around 8.89 million mt.

As many as 23 utilities did not import any coal.

On a monthly basis, thermal coal imports by utilities stood at 5.52 million mt in January 2019, up 27% as compared with the same month last year. Coal imports are increasing due to an increase in power demand and inadequate domestic production.

Power utilities imported 56.41 million mt steam coal in fiscal year 2017-18, down 13% year on year.