Indian power generators' thermal coal imports witnessed a month-on-month increase for a third consecutive month in January 2026, reaching the highest level in six months, according to the latest official data.

The country's power producers imported 3.63 million tonnes of thermal coal in the month, dropping 11.6% month on month yet climbing 5.88% from a year ago, showed data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

Among all the coal imported by power companies in January, 3.14 million tonnes were directly burned, down 6.99% year on year but up 6.67% month on month, while 494,000 tonnes were blended with domestic coal, declining 32.77% on the year but gaining 1.15% from a month ago.

Among power utilities blending imported coal with domestic resources, four state-owned power enterprises imported 265,700 tonnes and three private enterprises imported 228,300 tonnes. Among those directing burning imported coal for power generation, 14 private utilities imported 3.13 million tonnes.

Mundra of Adani Group imported the largest amount of coal at 1.24 million tonnes, followed by Salaya, owned by Essar Power Gujarat Ltd. (EPGL), at 342,500 tonnes.

In the first ten months of this fiscal year (ending March 2026), Indian power companies imported a total of 39.14 million tonnes of thermal coal, down 25.27% from 52.38 million tonnes a year ago.