<p>New Delhi: India has extended by eight months the operation of power plants using imported coal, as high consumption and poor supply deplete domestic stocks of the fuel, according to a government order reviewed by Reuters.</p>.<p>The order invoked emergency powers in asking such plants, with a capacity of nearly 17 gigawatts, to operate so as to meet high demand for electricity until next June.</p>.<p>"It is imperative that ... power from imported coal-based generating stations is available to meet demand," the government said in Monday's order.</p>.<p>It cited a surge in demand for electricity, inadequate domestic coal supply and limited hydropower.</p>.<p>Indian power plants that use imported coal, such as those owned by Tata Power and Adani Power, stop operations when prices of fuel shipments rise.</p>.<p>The extension came as worries mount over shrinking coal stocks at power plants, where inventories fell in the first half of October at their fastest in two years. </p>
<p>New Delhi: India has extended by eight months the operation of power plants using imported coal, as high consumption and poor supply deplete domestic stocks of the fuel, according to a government order reviewed by Reuters.</p>.<p>The order invoked emergency powers in asking such plants, with a capacity of nearly 17 gigawatts, to operate so as to meet high demand for electricity until next June.</p>.<p>"It is imperative that ... power from imported coal-based generating stations is available to meet demand," the government said in Monday's order.</p>.<p>It cited a surge in demand for electricity, inadequate domestic coal supply and limited hydropower.</p>.<p>Indian power plants that use imported coal, such as those owned by Tata Power and Adani Power, stop operations when prices of fuel shipments rise.</p>.<p>The extension came as worries mount over shrinking coal stocks at power plants, where inventories fell in the first half of October at their fastest in two years. </p>