The coal ministry on Thursday said that coal imports, which had reached a peak of 248 million tonne (MT) in 2019-20, declined continuously during the next two years to 215 MT in 2020-21 and further to 209 MT in 2021-22.
“The decline in coal imports during 2021-22 is largely due to decrease in imports by the Power Sector which came down from 45 MT in 2020-21 to 27 MT in 2021-22, a decline of almost 40%. The decline is more steep if we compare coal imports by power sector in 2021-22 to pre-Covid year of 2019-20 when such imports were 69 MT. This is despite the fact that total thermal power generation in the country increased to 1,115 BU in 2021-22 from 1032 BU in 2020-21, an increase of 83 BU in absolute terms and almost 8% in percentage terms,” said the ministry.
The ministry said that despite a steep rise in actual demand for coal from 956 MT in 2019-20 to 1027 MT in 2021-22, coal imports have not increased. Coal import grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.86% during the period 2009-10 to 2013-14.
At this CAGR, coal imports would have reached 705 MT in 2020-21 and further to 866 MT in 2021-22. The import of coal could be checked only by sustaining increased domestic supply over the years. All India coal production has increased from 716 MT in 2020-21 to 777 MT in 2021-22, resulting in an increase of 61 MT. Therefore, despite a steep rise in actual demand for coal from 906 MT in 2020-21 to 1,027 MT in 2021-22, coal imports could be contained due to increased domestic dispatch from 691 MT in 2020-21 to 818 MT in 2021-22. Domestic dispatch has not only increased to the power sector but also to the non-power sector by 101 MT in 2020-21 to 104 MT in 2021-22.
Coking coal import was 57 MT with a growth of 11.65% during 2021-22, which is largely used in the Steel Sector. However, as compared to pre-Covid year of 2019-20, the growth in coking coal imports is around 10%. Coal imported by non-regulated Sector (cement, sponge iron & paper, etc) increased to 125 MT in 2021-22 from 119 MT in 2020-21, an increase of 5.23%. Compared to the pre Covid year of 2019-22, when imports by non-regulated sector were 127 MT, imports by this sector have actually declined in 2021-22.
Thus, increase in import of coal by non-power sector during 2021-22 is largely on account of growth in import of coking coal and import of coal by non-regulated sectors, which largely import high grade thermal coal. Supply of both these categories of coal are limited in the country.
India has a balanced energy basket and the coal sector is an important contributor in fulfilling the nation’s energy needs. The sector is not only committed to meet coal demand in the country but also sensitive towards building a sustainable ecosystem. Coal is a critical input for the power, fertilizer, iron & steel and cement sector.
