India Achieves Reduction in Coal Imports Amid Boost in Domestic Production
19 DEC 2024
India has recorded a significant reduction in coal imports, aligning with its goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency. Despite holding the fifth-largest coal reserves globally, the country faces a domestic supply gap for specific types of coal, such as coking coal and high-grade thermal coal, critical for industries like steel production and energy generation.
During the April-October period of FY 2024-25, coal imports dropped by 3.1%, totaling 149.39 million tonnes (MT), down from 154.17 MT in the same period of the previous year. The decline was more pronounced in the Non-Regulated Sector (other than power), which saw an 8.8% reduction.
While coal-based power generation rose by 3.87% during the same period, imports for blending purposes by thermal power plants saw a significant decrease of 19.5%. This underscores India’s commitment to reducing its reliance on imported coal. However, imports for coal-based power plants designed specifically for imported coal surged by 38.4%, rising from 21.71 MT to 30.04 MT.
On the domestic front, coal production registered a robust growth of 6.04%, reaching 537.57 MT from 506.93 MT in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. This increase highlights the effectiveness of government initiatives aimed at enhancing domestic coal output.
The Ministry of Coal remains focused on implementing strategic measures to boost production, ensure availability, and safeguard foreign reserves while strengthening the nation’s energy security. These efforts align with India’s long-term vision of reducing dependence on imports and building a sustainable energy framework.
