India Running Short on Coal; Could Force the Country to Increase Imports

By Admin
Share
India is running dangerously low on coal and the country could be forced to increase imports so power plants can generate enough electricity.State-owned...

India is running dangerously low on coal and the country could be forced to increase imports so power plants can generate enough electricity.

State-owned Coal India Limited (CIL) has been asked to increase coal production at existing mine as production has been failing to meet targets and more imported coal has been required. India’s electricity shortage climbed to 7,000MW in May.

"We hope that a good amount of additional coal can be mined at least as an interim measure for a few years till we are able to sort out the problem which the sector has faced over the last five to six years," power minister Piyush Goyal said.

Although India already imports nearly 20 percent of its coal requirements, Goyal is requesting the company import more despite increased costs. India’s power plants are not running at optimum levels and more coal is required to help ramp up production.

India’s net coal-fired electricity generation is expected to grow by a total of 910 terawatt hours from 2010 to 2040, doubling its total in 2010. India’s coal consumption for electricity generation is expected to double.  

According to professor John Rolfe of CQUniversity, Australia could be a viable option for coal supply.

He said the election of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for India will help grow the country’s economy faster.

"The previous government were quite successful in the early stages at economic growth but over time that growth slowed and they ran into lots of problems trying to get major changes through the different states of India,” Wolfe said.

"Modi's a breath of fresh air, he's also got a much bigger mandate, so he'll have a lot more power to make major changes in the economy.”

The demand for coal in India is forecasted to reach 551.60 million mt in 2015 as supply of coal is predicted to amount to just 466.89 million mt. 

Share

Featured Articles

Intel Ridding its Supply Chain of Conflict Minerals

Intel first began to work towards responsibly sourced conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries about 12 years

IEF on 'Paradox' of Mining's Role in Quest for Clean Energy

International Energy Forum says mining is the 'paradox' at heart of quest for clean energy but recognises the industry is addressing sustainability issues

ABB Reduces its Industrial e-Waste Impact

Leading global engineering company ABB – with strong mining presence – cuts industrial e-waste by promoting reuse and recycling in a push for circularity

Mining Automation Drives Efficiency and Safety Gains

Digital Mining

New Schneider SBS Energy Solution for Mining Sector

Smart Mining

Mining Conflicts Hit Communities As Battery Demand Soars

Sustainability