The Indian government has extended the mandate for imported coal-fired power plants to maintain full load operation to February 28, 2025, according to an announcement issued by the Indian government on December 27.

The Indian government issued an emergency provision In October, requiring companies including Tata Power, Adani Power and Vedanta Group to further extend the deadline for their imported coal-fired power plants to operate at full capacity from October 15 to December 31.

India's total annual power generation capacity is close to 16 GW, with coal-fired power generation falling for the second consecutive month in September as electricity consumption slowed and solar power surged.

Meanwhile, India's thermal coal imports fell 27.96% year on year (YoY) in October this year, the largest YoY decline in 15 months, according to data from the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

India's overall coal-fired power generation increased by 5% YoY from April to September this year.