India, the world’s second-largest coal producer, has outlined plans to bolster its coal-powered generation capacity significantly, with a target to add at least 80 gigawatts (GW) by 2031-32. This decision, disclosed during a recent review meeting by Union power minister Raj Kumar Singh, underscores India’s ongoing reliance on coal despite its ambitious renewable energy goals.
As of now, 27 GW of the proposed capacity is already under construction, and an additional 55 to 60 GW is in the planning stages. India’s current power generation landscape heavily leans on coal, constituting over half of the country’s existing capacity of 425.406 GW. The move to enhance coal capacity comes amid a notable surge in power demand, reaching a new peak of 239.9 GW on 1 September, surpassing earlier projections.
Singh, in a statement, emphasized the critical need for round-the-clock power availability to support India’s economic growth. While acknowledging the focus on renewable energy, he stated, “This power cannot be achieved by renewable energy sources alone. Since nuclear capacity cannot be added at a rapid pace, we have to add coal-based thermal capacity for meeting our energy needs.”
Despite being a significant coal consumer, India has committed to ambitious renewable energy targets. The country aims to add 50 GW of green energy capacity annually, with a broader goal of achieving 500 GW from renewable sources by 2030. India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change pledges to derive 50% of power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by the end of this decade.
Singh addressed the premature dismissal of thermal energy a few years ago, emphasizing its continued relevance until energy storage becomes cost-effective for uninterrupted supply through renewables. India’s dependence on coal aligns with the challenges posed by non-solar hours and unexpected weather events affecting renewable energy production.
Pankaj Agarwal, the union power secretary, highlighted the imperative need for an additional 80,000 MW of capacity by 2031-32 to meet base load requirements. He cited the potential challenges during non-solar hours, especially considering the substantial power demand growth and weather-related incidents, such as those experienced in August.
India’s dual commitment to expanding coal capacity while advancing renewable energy reflects the complex balancing act required to ensure energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. The country grapples with meeting the rising demand for power while navigating the transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The success of India’s energy strategy hinges on effectively managing this dual commitment and leveraging the strengths of both conventional and renewable energy sources.
