India to import 20 MT of coal in 2006-07

New Delhi, Dec 8 (UNI) The country imported 13 million tonnes (MT) of coal during 2005-06 and will import 20 MT of coal in the current fiscal to bridge the gap between demand and supply of coal from domestic sources.

Union Minister of Power Sushil Kumar Shinde said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

He said the thermal power stations were considered for import of coal on the basis of certain parameters including coastal power stations, stations where availability of coal is a constraint, stations situated at long distances from pithead and stations which are traditional importers.

Kota and Suratgrh Super Thermal Power Stations, being situated at long distance from the pithead, were included for import of coal, Mr Shinde added.

He said the quantum of coal to be imported by any power station has been limited to 10 to 15 per cent of its annual coal requirment, in order to enable blending of imported coal with domestic coal keeping in view boiler design considerations.

It is observed that additional impact of imported coal on the cost of generation is marginal due to high calorific value and low ash content of imported coal resulting in improved operational performance and savings in maintenance cost and railway freight, apart from meeting the norms specified by Ministry of Environment and Forests, Mr Shinde said.

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