NTPC to import 17 mn metric tonnes of coal

Facing shortage in domestic fuel supplies, state-owned NTPC plans to import 17 million metric tonnes of coal this fiscal which is higher than the quantity purchased last financial year.

The country’s largest power producer plans to add 1,798 MW generation in the current financial year ending March 2015. NTPC CMD Arup Roy Choudhury said the total coal requirement is estimated to be 177 MMT for this fiscal.

“Out of this 147 MMT is expected against coal supply agreements and 3 MMT through bilateral MOU/E-auction. The gap of 27 MMT domestic coal is to be mitigated through 17 MMT of imported coal,” he said.