Dec 27 (Reuters) - India on Friday extended its mandate for imported coal-based power plants to operate at full capacity until Feb. 28, a government circular showed.

In October, the government had invoked an emergency clause to direct companies including Tata Power (TTPW.NS) , opens new tab, Adani Power (ADAN.NS) , opens new tab and Vedanta (VDAN.NS) , opens new tab, to operate their imported coal fired plants till Oct. 15 and had further extended the mandate till Dec. 31.

Imported coal-based power plants in India have a combined annual capacity of nearly 16 gigawatts.

India's coal-fired power output had fallen for a second straight month in September due to slower growth in electricity use and a surge in solar generation.

The country's imports of thermal coal plunged 31.8%, its fastest rate of contraction in fifteen months, in October, Reuters had reported earlier.

India's overall coal-based power generation over April-September rose by 5% from a year earlier, government data shows.

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https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-extends-mandate-imported-coal-based-power-plants-run-full-capacity-2024-12-27/