Indian power generators' thermal coal imports for September posted both year-on-year and month-on-month decreases, falling to the lowest in a year, according to official data.

Power producers imported 5.30 million tonnes of thermal coal in September, down 5.07% from a year ago and 9.3% month on month, showed data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

Among all the coal imported by power companies in September, 4.29 million tonnes were directly burned, rising 10.29% year on year and 3.28% month on month, while 1.01 million tonnes were blended with domestic coal, slumping 40.4% on the year and 40.27% from a month ago.

Among power utilities blending imported coal with domestic resources, seven state-owned power enterprises imported 390,000 tonnes and five private enterprises imported 618,300 tonnes. Among those directing burning imported coal for power generation, one state-run utility imported 80,600 tonnes and 15 private ones received 4.21 million tonnes.

In the first six months of this fiscal (April-September 2024), Indian power companies imported 35.93 million tonnes of thermal coal, up 29.32% from 22.78 million tonnes a year ago.