Powering Progress: India's 97 GW Coal and Lignite Expansion

The Ministry of Power has outlined plans to add 97 GW of coal and lignite-based thermal power capacity to meet India’s projected electricity demand of 3,07,000 MW by 2034–35, Minister of State for Power Shripad Yesso Naik informed the Lok Sabha.

As of March 31, 2023, India had an installed thermal capacity of 2,11,855 MW, with total installed power generation capacity reaching 485 GW by June 2025. According to the National Electricity Plan (May 2023), this is expected to rise to 870 GW by 2031–32.

Since April 2023, 11,680 MW of thermal capacity has been commissioned, with another 38,935 MW (including 5,695 MW of stressed projects) under construction. In FY 2024–25 alone, contracts for 15,440 MW have been awarded. An additional 35,460 MW of candidate thermal projects is under planning.

On the renewable front, 1,58,450 MW is under construction, with 62,000 MW planned by 2029–30, aligning with India’s 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030 and its net-zero emissions goal by 2070. Hydro capacity under construction stands at 13,463.5 MW, with another 9,802 MW expected by 2031–32.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.