Madhya Pradesh to not import coal for thermal plants

The government of Madhya Pradesh has decided not to import coal for its thermal power plants. MP Power Generating Company (MP Genco) invited tenders for the import of 750,000 metric tonnes of coal in May 2022. According to tender documents, it would have cost around Rs 9.76 billion (without transportation costs), but it was likely to be much higher due to higher rates in volatile foreign markets. Later, the Union government asked states to provide their requirements to Coal India, which would import them and distribute them to states that had not yet issued tenders for imports. To deal with 'coal scarcity,' this coal was to be mixed with indigenous coal (10 per cent imported + 9 per cent local). Also read: Hindustan Copper plans big capacity expansion over 8 years India extends emissions deadline for coal-fired plants for third time