NEW DELHI: India’s dependence on imported coal has fallen by 2.59 per cent in April 2016-January 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year. However, the Country’s dependence of imported coal fell even more sharply by 8.2 per cent in financial year 2016 as compared to financial year 2015.
This information was shared by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy and Mines in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. According to the response, “On account of increased production of coal imports have fallen from 217.78 MN Tonnes in 2014-15 to 199.88 MN Tonnes in 2015-16.”
However, import of coal is not solely dependent on the domestic production of coal. It also depends on other factors like power plant designed on imported coal and insufficient availability of coking coal of required grade. A policy for allocation of coal to power sector is under formulation, the Minister added.
The Minister further stated that as per International Energy Agency (IEA), India was the third largest producer and second largest importer of coal in 2014 in the World.
Source: Dailyshippingtimes.com
