AIPEF criticises import directive for power plants

05 Sep 2023 CW Team

The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has criticised the directives issued by the central government regarding imports for thermal power plants, deeming them an additional burden on coal-fired power units. The Union Ministry of Power has mandated that all thermal power plants, including those owned by state governments, the central government, and the private sector, must import 4 per cent of their coal supply by March 2024 to address the coal shortage in domestic coal-reliant thermal power plants.

The central government has pointed out a significant gap of 200,000 tonnes per day in August between the coal consumption and supply in domestic coal-fired thermal power plants due to constraints within the railways. In response, AIPEF expressed its concern, stating that imposing an additional load of imported coal on state thermal power plants under such circumstances is not justifiable.

AIPEF Chairman Shailendra Dubey emphasised that the central government should bear the cost of imported coal since the power plants are not accountable for the situation. Failure to do so would result in power-generating entities in the states recovering this cost from distribution companies (discoms), ultimately burdening the average consumer unfairly.

Infrastructure Transport

17 Oct 2025

Sonowal Unveils Eight Projects at NMPA’s Golden Jubilee

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Bharat Mandapam. To commemorate the milestone, he unveiled eight major maritime infrastructure projects designed to strengthen India’s port network, enhance logistics performance, and promote sustainability. These include a modern cruise terminal, new covered storage facilities, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and improved port access infrastructure aimed at enhancing..

India To Boost US LPG Imports, Cut Middle East Reliance

India is planning to reduce imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the Middle East as state-owned refiners prepare to ramp up purchases from the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move aligns with New Delhi’s efforts to expand energy cooperation and secure a broader trade deal with Washington. State refiners have already notified their traditional LPG suppliers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar of the potential reduction in imports. Although the exact size of the supply cut was not disclosed, earlier reports suggested that Indi..

UK Sanctions Nayara Energy in Crackdown on Russian Oil

The United Kingdom has announced fresh sanctions on 90 entities, including Indian refiner Nayara Energy Limited, in its latest bid to curb Russian oil revenues and weaken President Vladimir Putin’s war funding. The sanctions, unveiled jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Treasury, aim to disrupt networks supporting Moscow’s crude exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the FCDO, the new restrictions are intended to “strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding” by targeting firms and assets that enable Russia’s energy trade. “..