)
The country's largest power producer NTPC has set a target of importing as much as 15 million tonnes of coal in the next financial year (2014-15).
The target may be lowered if Coal India increases its production, the company said.
"For 2014-15 our plan is to import 15 million tonnes of coal. It depends on the supply by Coal India. If they supply more, we can bring down our import target," NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury told reporters at a CII event here.
"During the current fiscal, we have so far imported 10 million tonnes of coal," he said.
NTPC currently has an installed capacity of 42,964 MW, of which more than 37,000 MW is coal based. The company plans to add 14,000 MW of capacity in the 12th Plan period (2012-17).
Mining at a coal block allotted to the company has missed the planned start date. Work at the site has been stalled due to an agitation against land acquisition.
The Pakri Barwadih coal block in Jharkhand was allocated to NTPC in 2004 and mining was expected to start in February.
"I can't do anything on the Pakri Barwadih until the state government supports us," Choudhury said.
The company ventured into coal mining with the aim of meeting about 20% of its requirements from its own mines by 2017.
It has been allotted seven coal blocks, including two that are to be developed through joint ventures.
