NTPC steps up coal imports, seeks to avoid power crunch later this year

Indian power producers are returning to the seaborne coal market as they rebuild stockpiles after last year's energy crisis.

India’s largest electricity producer is stepping up a campaign of coal imports as the nation seeks to avoid a new power crunch. 

State-run NTPC Ltd. has sought about 10 million tons of overseas coal since it issued its first international tender in two years in October, according to documents posted on its website. The reversal after years of supporting the government’s push to favor local producers underscores concern about a repeat of fuel shortages that triggered outages and power restrictions last year. 

The New Delhi-based company is aiming to secure cargoes starting from April, when power consumption in India typically