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- India has extended the operation of power plants that rely on imported coal by eight months, citing high electricity demand and depleting domestic coal stocks.
- This extension applies to power plants with a combined capacity of nearly 17 gigawatts. These plants were asked to continue operating under emergency powers granted by the government until June of the following year.
- The decision to extend the operation of these plants is driven by a significant increase in electricity demand, inadequate domestic coal supply, and limited availability of hydropower.
- Power plants in India that use imported coal often suspend operations when the prices of coal shipments rise, making it cost-prohibitive.
- The move comes amid concerns about dwindling coal stocks at power plants, with inventories experiencing the fastest decline in the first half of October in two years.