Exclusive: India asks utilities to order $33 billion in equipment this year to boost coal power output

NEW DELHI, July 3 (Reuters) – India has asked power companies to order equipment worth $33 billion this year to fast track capacity additions of coal-fired power in the years ahead, as the South Asian nation struggles to meet booming electricity demand, two government officials said.

The unprecedented move by the government, which would result in record tendering in a year for the equipment by major power firms such as state-run NTPC (NTPC.NS), opens new tab and SJVN (SJVN.NS), opens new tab as well as by private companies Adani Power (ADAN.NS), opens new tab and Essar Power, will help add 31 gigawatts (GW) in the next 5-6 years, the sources said.