Maharashtra Seb To Float Tenders For Coal Import

According to energy department sources in the Maharashtra government, the coal import of 3,00,000 tonnes is being proposed on a trial basis, which could lead to a massive import order of two million tonnes.

The inaugural consignment of 3 lakh tonnes of coal will be utilised by the board's 1,000 mw plant in Eklahare near Nashik.

The board has to look out for coal since the Union power ministry has categorically told the state government that there will be a persistent shortfall between Maharashtra's requirement of coal and supply.

In 1995-96, the coal requirement of MSEB was 29 million tonnes while actual receipt from linkages added up to 25 million tonnes.

 

The state government said coal will be imported by the board to fill the gap between demand and supply and that it will not replac even a part of the coal linkages.

Imported coal, in spite of a 22 per cent duty that it attracts in India, works out economical in the long run because of high quality.

According to an industry expert, Calorific value in imported coal is more than double than that in Indian coal. Ash content is never more than 15 per cent, whereas, in Indian coal it can go up to 45 per cent.

The energy department official said the high-quality imported coal leads to reduced consumption per unit. Moreover, the ash content is as much as 40 to 45 per cent in Indian coal.

There is up to 10 per cent stones and rocks content in Indian coal, leading to heavy wear and tear of machinery.