Indian power utilities imported 40.8 million mt of thermal coal over April-September, the first half of the fiscal year, down 6% year on year, according to Central Electricity Authority data obtained Tuesday.
Of the total, 19.26 million mt coal was imported by 32 utilities for blending purpose, and 21.54 million mt was imported by eight utilities for power plants using only imported coal.
Nine utilities did not import coal during the first six months of the current fiscal year.
Private utility Adani Power imported the most coal in April-September at 8 million mt, followed by state-run power generator NTPC Limited at 6.4 million mt and Tata's Mundra power project at around 5 million mt.
September thermal coal imports fell 14% year on year to 5.9 million mt.
Utilities are expected to import 84 million mt during the current fiscal year ending in March. Of the total, 42 million mt will be imported for blending with domestic coal and 42 million mt will be imported for those plants that use only imported coal.
