Nagpur: Many power generation companies in the country, including MahaGenco, have started importing coal to overcome the load shedding caused by shortage of coal. MahaGenco has tied up with an Indonesian company for import of 2 million metric tonnes of coal, and its supply has also started. There is also a plan to import 10 lakh metric tonnes of coal in September-October.
As a result, while coal reserves in power plants are improving, the Central Government has now banned states from importing coal. The Central Government directive says that power companies in states should no longer import coal from each other. “Tell us that whatever coal you want, we will get it through Coal India,” the government has clarified. Due to this there is tremendous resentment among all the power companies as well as the state governments.
Gold Rate
03 June 2025
There are government and private thermal power plants in the country with a capacity of 1.8 lakh MW. About 10-12 lakh metric tonnes of coal is required per day for the power plants to generate electricity at full capacity. This coal is supplied through Coal India from coal mines of the country. But for the last four months, power plants are facing coal shortage.
Against this background, the Central Government has directed all thermal power plants to import 20 percent of the total coal requirement. That’s why many companies have entered into agreements for import of coal. MahaGenco has signed an agreement for 2 million metric tonnes of coal and its supply has also started.
There is also a plan to import 10 lakh metric tonnes of coal in September-October. However, the Centre has directed the states to procure coal through Coal India instead of directly. Therefore, along with all the power companies, the state government is also unhappy with it. Now the question is whether we will get as much coal as we need on time.
It is noteworthy that most of the power plants in the country are using coal available in the country’s mines. However, in exceptional cases, if a power generation company or a state wanted to import coal, it was still possible to order coal directly. However, the Center has now directed under Section 11 of the Electricity Act that power generating companies should not import coal separately. So the power companies will be in trouble and they will have to depend on the Centre.
