Coal news and updates

NTPC plans to import 15 mt of thermal coal in 2014-15

The country's largest power producer NTPC Limited was planning to import 15 million tonnes of coal in the next fiscal year (2014 to 2015) adding that it might bring down the import target if Coal India Limited supply more quantity.

Mr Arup Roy Choudhury CMD of NTPC Limited said that “During the current fiscal, the company has so far imported 10 million tonnes of coal. Presently, NTPC has an installed capacity of 42,964 MW, of which more than 37,000 MW is coal based. The company plans to add 14,000 MW of capacity in the 12th Plan period (2012 to 2017).

Mining at the Pakri Barwadih coal block allotted to the company has missed the planned start date. Work at the site has been stalled due to an agitation against land acquisition. The Pakri Barwadih coal block in Jharkhand was allocated to NTPC in 2004 and the mining was expected to commence in February.

The company ventured into coal mining with the aim of meeting around 20% of its requirements from its own mines by 2017. It has been allotted seven coal blocks, including two that are to be developed through joint ventures.

Source: RTT Staff Writer/ Coal Guru