Coal imports by Indian utilities rose 21% in 2019 to 69.51 million tonnes, their highest since 2015, government data showed on Wednesday, boosted mainly by increased imports by a major western plant run by Adani Power Ltd.
Imports by Adani's "Ultra mega" power plant in Mundra in Gujarat rose 75% to 17.35 million tonnes, data from the Central Electricity Authority showed.
Overall imports of thermal coal for the 10 months to October were up 12.6% at 163.86 million tonnes, coal ministry data showed. Data for thermal coal imports for November and December have not yet been compiled.
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