Power sector requires 35 mt of coal importsSpecial Correspondent...

Power sector requires 35 mt of coal imports
Special Correspondent Share print T+ Coal India is set to issue tenders for importing about 10 million tonnes of coal in 2010-11. It is now awaiting a communication in this regard from the power regulatory body, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), senior official of CIL said, adding that tenders would be floated after that. An import requirement of 35 million tonnes of coal has been indicated for the power sector by the Planning Commission. A part of this is scheduled to be imported by the power producers either on their own or through MMTC and the balance would be through CIL. Officials were optimistic that the delays of 2010-11 would not be repeated next fiscal as this was the first year since the New Coal Distribution Policy of 2007 when CIL was asked to meet the country's coal demand, if necessary through imports.

The proposed all-India coal production target for 2010-11 is 571.87 million tonnes of which CIL will produce 80 per cent, that is, 460.5 million tonnes, Singareni Coal Company 45.5 million tonnes and others 65.8 million tonnes.

CIL is now progressing on its plans of striking alliance with overseas coal producers to import coal. In response to the Expression of interest invited by CIL in this regard, 10 companies across three countries are now in fray for striking alliances.