India sets end-June coal import targets as power woes mount

New Delhi: India has asked state and private sector utilities to ensure delivery of 19 million tonnes of coal from overseas by end-June, according to a power ministry letter, reflecting an urgency to secure supplies in a pricey market amid increasing blackouts.

The move, which marks the first time the world's second-largest coal importer is issuing timelines for imports, can put pressure on the global prices of coal as the utilities rush to avoid a repeat of the electricity crisis in April. If the timelines are adhered to, the imports by the states and private utilities over the next five months for blending with domestic coal will surpass annual imports by the entities in at least six years.

An unrelenting heatwave pushed electricity demand to a record high in April, leading to the worst power crisis in over six years and forcing India to go back on a policy to cut down coal imports. The federal government has asked state government-owned utilities to import over 22 million tonnes of coal and private power plants to import 15.94 million tonnes, the power ministry said in a letter reviewed by Reuters.

The power ministry asked all utilities to ensure delivery of 50% of the allocated quantity by June 30, another 40% by end-August, and the remaining 10% by the end of October, according to the letter to top officials at state energy departments and heads of private power plants. State government-run utilities have not imported for blending more than 7.1 million tonnes and private companies not more than 13.1 million tonnes since at least the year ending March 2017. Data predating the year ended March 2017 is not available.

The federal power ministry did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. Utilities are not obligated to honor the federal government directives, but two government officials who attended meetings related to rising power demand said that states were warned of blackouts if the suggested quantities were not imported.

States and private companies "must import" coal and "ensure continuous power supply in the respective states", the letter read. "To ensure minimum required coal stocks in power plants before the onset of monsoon, placement of awards for importing coal for blending purpose must be completed by 31.5.2022," the ministry said in the letter dated April 28.

Private companies including Adani Power, Tata Power, Reliance Power, Jindal Steel and Power, Torrent Power, and Sembcorp have been given import targets, the letter showed. The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.