Indian power utilities imported around 6.61 million mt of thermal coal in October, up 27% year on year, according to latest data from India's Central Electricity Authority released Tuesday.
Of the total, around 1.92 million mt was imported by 18 utilities for blending purposes, while 4.69 million mt was imported by eight utilities that run their thermal power stations on imported coal only.
Adani Power's Mundra thermal power plant imported the highest volumes of thermal coal in October, at around 1.33 million mt, followed by Tata Power's Mundra ultra mega power plant at around 1.25 million mt and JSW Energy at 754,000 mt.
As many as 35 utilities did not import any coal last month.
During April-October, thermal coal imports stood at 33.95 million mt, up less than 1% year on year.
Power utilities imported 56.41 million mt steam coal in fiscal 2017-18, down 13% year on year.
