Power consumption increased by 11 percent: 140 billion units consumed

- Occasional

- Coal imports rise to three-month high

- The demand for electricity in the country is likely to decrease in the near future as the heat decreases and the cold increases

Electricity consumption in the country has increased by about 11 percent in September year-on-year. And such consumption has increased and crossed the level of 140 billion units. According to the sources of Central Electricity Authority, coal import has increased to about 55 to 56 lakh tons in the month of September in the power generation sector. Last year in the month of September, the figure of such import was recorded around 50 to 51 lakh tonnes. However, in the period of 6 months of April to September, such total import has decreased to around 277 to 278 lakh tonnes which was 343 to 344 lakh tonnes in this period last year. Coal consumption in domestic thermal power plants has increased to 714 lakh tonnes in the month of September. Which was 617 lakh tonnes in this period last year. The figure of such consumption has increased from 3893 lakh tonnes to 4222 lakh tonnes in April to September. At the end of September, the stock of coal in power-plants has decreased to 217 lakh tonnes while the daily requirement of coal has been around 26 lakh tonnes. According to an estimate, India imports coal worth about Rs.3.85 lakh crore every year and such annual import is about 200 million tonnes. However, the percentage of imports against the total production of coal in the country, which used to be around 26 percent, has now come down to around 21 percent, sources said.

While the government has been proactive in increasing the country's coal production, on the other hand, the issue has taken on a contradictory picture with significant increase in coal imports from sea at home. Coal market and industry sources said that the import of thermal coal in the country has increased by approximately 11 percent monthly and approximately 10 percent annually. Recently, such imports have increased to around 136 to 137 lakh tonnes in the month of September. This year in the country, with the temperature remaining uncertain and the heat and humidity increasing, there has been a significant increase in the demand for electricity. Due to the celebration of various festivals on a large scale, the demand for electricity in the country has increased rapidly. Coal consumption by power generation producers has increased due to rising demand for electricity and domestic coal imports have seen a sharp rise recently, sources said. Sources were saying that coal import has increased because of the government's decision to blend four percent of imported coal. Due to the increase in industrial activity in the country, the consumption of electricity has also increased. Demand for household electricity has also increased significantly. AC consumption has been seen increasing as the temperature increases. In view of the way coal import is increasing in the country at present, the informants were saying that it would not be surprising if the import of such thermal coal increases and crosses the level of 140 lakh tonnes in October. Recently, looking at the import of the month of September, such import has increased and reached a peak of 3 months. Such imports in the country have been recorded especially from Indonesia and South Africa. Due to rains in various states in the country during the night, due to which coal transportation was also affected, while domestic supply remained slow, import from sea was seen increasing. The need for modernization in coal handling in the country has increased and for this the need for more investment in this sector has also increased. The demand for electricity has increased due to the departure of the monsoon and the increase in heat in the country, but as the winter season approaches, market sources are showing the possibility that the demand for electricity in the country will decrease further as the heat decreases and the cold increases. In view of this, the growth rate of coal import may slow down in the months of November and December. Meanwhile, the government has allowed power plants using imported coal to continue operations till next June.