New Delhi, May 29 (IANS) The Union Ministry of Energy on Sunday ordered the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to determine the eligible amount of domestic coal for power plants using coal under Shakti B (viii) (a) taking into account 10 percent imported coal for blending, which is equivalent to about 15 percent of domestic coal in terms of energy.

Shakti B (viii) (a) is the window for power plants with untied ability to bid for coal to generate electricity using that coal and sell it on the exchange under Day Ahead Market (DAM) or the DEEP portal for short-term PPAs.

For these plants, the Ministry ordered the CEA to calculate the amount of coal consumed (purchased under the Shakti B(viii)(a) window) based on a mandatory blend of 10% by weight for production during the period beginning June 15, 2022 through March 31, 2023. This will give these plants a window of approximately three weeks to source imported coal.

In view of the increase in electricity demand and the supply of coal from national coal companies not matching coal consumption, the Ministry of Energy has advised all Gencos, including IPPs, on April 28, to blend 10% of imported coal for electricity generation. This was done to supplement the national coal supply.

–IANS

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