Key facts
- India's current plan is to add 97 GW of coal-fired power capacity by 2035.
- A senior Indian official indicated the coal capacity addition plan may need to increase to 105 GW or 150 GW.
- India's current installed coal-fired power capacity is 231 GW.
- Renewable energy capacity (excluding large hydro) reached 243 GW in August 2026, representing 44% of India's total capacity.
- India aims to have 100 GW of installed nuclear power capacity by 2047.
India may need to increase its planned coal-fired power capacity additions through 2035, a senior official said, as soaring electricity demand requires grid stability and flexibility. The country's current plan, established last year, is to add 97 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity, bringing the total to 307 GW.
Ghanshyam Prasad, chair of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), stated at a business event that the surge in power demand over the past year suggests the plan for 97 GW of new coal capacity may need to be revised upward, potentially to 105 GW or even 150 GW. He emphasized the need for stable supply resources to meet growing demand.
As of August, India's coal and lignite installations stood at 231 GW, accounting for 42% of its total power capacity, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). However, renewable energy sources (excluding large hydro) have seen rapid growth, reaching 243 GW, or 44% of India's capacity, by August 2026. This marks an increase from 193 GW (39% share) in August 2025.
Despite renewables potentially becoming the largest single source of power capacity, India also aims to increase its installed nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047, up from the current 8.8 GW, following a decision to allow private investment in the nuclear energy sector. The country also plans to build five small modular reactors domestically by 2033.