Coal imports increases by 0.9 pc to 90.51 million tonnes

The increase in the import is from April to July 2024 with non-coking coal up 2 per cent and coking coal down 2.6 per cent. 

India, endowed with the fifth-largest coal reserves in the world, stands as the second-largest consumer of coal, driven by a rapidly growing economy. However, the current consumption landscape reveals a critical need for imports, particularly for coking coal and high-grade thermal coal, which are not sufficiently available within domestic reserves. This shortfall necessitates imports to support key industries, including steel.

Coal imports during the April-July period of FY 2024-25 experienced a marginal increase of 0.9 per cent, reaching 90.51 million tonnes (MT) compared to 89.68 MT in the previous year. Notably, non-coking coal imports increased by 2 per cent during this timeframe, while coking coal imports declined by 2.6 per cent. In July 2024 alone, coal imports rose by 15.9 per cent, reaching 21.81 MT compared to 18.82 MT in July 2023.

Despite a notable growth of 10.18 per cent in coal-based power generation from April 2024 to July 2024 compared to the same period last year, imports for blending purposes decreased by 8.2 per cent during the same period. This decline underscores India’s steadfast commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in coal production and reducing reliance on imports. The increase in coal import for the power sector is attributed to the substantial quantity of coal imported by imported coal-based power plants (designed to utilise imported coal only) i.e. 17.69 MT during this period, up from 10.12 MT in the corresponding timeframe last year. Additionally, coal imports by the non-regulated sector saw a significant decline of 11 per cent, falling from 50.53 MT to 44.97 MT during the same time frame.

Moreover, coal production during the April-July 2024 period demonstrated a commendable increase, reaching 321.40 MT compared to 293.35 MT in the same period of FY 2023-24, marking a growth of 9.56 per cent. This upward trend reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline coal usage and enhance domestic production capabilities.

The Ministry of Coal continues to implement strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering coal production and improving availability. These efforts are not only focused on safeguarding foreign reserves but also on enhancing the nation’s energy security. The proactive measures taken by the government to increase domestic coal output will ultimately reduce dependence on imports and contribute to the overall sustainability of India’s energy landscape. In conclusion, while the dynamics of coal imports present certain challenges, the Indian government’s strategic focus on increasing coal production and curbing coal imports reflects a positive outlook for the country’s energy future. The commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in coal production is vital for maintaining economic growth and ensuring energy security in the coming years.