Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Power

13-December-2012 16:54 IST

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia informed Lok Sabha today that the total requirement of coal for the current year has been calculated as 500 Million Tons (MT) including 476 MT indigenous coal and 24 MT imported coal. The sources of indigenous coal are from Coal India Limited, Singareni Colliery Company Limited and from captive mines. The total coal availability from these sources comes to only 407 MT. To bridge the gap between demand for coal and its domestic supply as well as to build reasonable stock of coal, Power Utilities have been advised to import 46 Million Tonne during 2012-13. Also against a gas requirement of around 85 Million Metric Standard Cubic Meter per Day (MMSCMD) (at 90% PLF), 35 MMSCMD gas is being supplied to the gas-based power stations in the country.

As per information received from Ministry of Coal, with a view to bridge the increasing demand supply gap and enhance energy security of the country, Coal India Limited (CIL) has decided to acquire coal resources from abroad. The thrust areas of this overseas venture are to acquire thermal coal assets, undertake their exploration & development operate the mines and finally import the produces to India for supply to thermal power plants. The International Coal Ventures Limited (ICVL) has been set up with the approval of the Cabinet as a Joint Venture Company with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Coal India Limited (CIL), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), NMDC Ltd. and NTPC Ltd. as its promoter companies for acquisition of coal assets/ mines/ companies in overseas territories primarily to meet the current and the growing requirements of the promoter companies.

*****

UM/KM

Coal import advisory urges utilities to import coal to bridge domestic shortfall and pursue overseas acquisitions via JV. Power utilities were advised to import coal during 2012-13 to bridge the gap between national coal demand and domestic availability and to build stocks; Coal India Limited will acquire and develop overseas thermal coal assets, and International Coal Ventures Limited was formed as a joint venture of major public sector promoters to acquire, operate and import coal from overseas mines for supply to thermal power plants.