Govt eases imported coal blending norms for power plants

The center has relaxed standards for blending imported coal for domestic coal-based electricity projects, asking state and private power plants to make their own decisions, while directing power plant PSUs to stop raising further import dashes. The order follows improved coal stocks at power plants and a decline in electricity demand due to good rainfall.

The position of the coal stock of state gencos now varies considerably. Many states have inventories above 50% of the normative level, while many others still have inventories near critical levels. Given the situation, it has been decided that States/IPPs and the Ministry of Coal can henceforth determine the blending rate after assessing the availability of domestic coal stocks.