India: Power Ministry to Add Over 80 GW of Coal-Based Thermal Capacity by 2032

The Ministry of Power is currently planning and implementing over 83.50 GW of thermal power projects worth approx. Rs 6.96 lakh crore. These projects are crucial for ensuring that India meets its base load electricity requirements by 2032. According to generation planning studies conducted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India will need a total installed coal and lignite-based capacity of 283 GW by FY32 to fulfill base load demands in a stressed scenario.

To meet this target, the Ministry of Power has planned to establish an additional 80 GW of coal-based power capacity by FY32. Currently, 26.38 GW of thermal power capacity is under construction, 11.96 GW has been bid out, and another 19.05 GW is awaiting clearance, as reported by Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik in a recent statement in the Rajya Sabha.

The projected capital cost for setting up this additional capacity is based on the National Electricity Plan’s estimate of Rs 8.34 crore per MW at 2021-22 prices.

Simultaneously, the government is focused on reducing carbon emissions from coal-based power plants to align with environmental regulations. Coal-based thermal power plants must comply with emission norms established by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and adhere to guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

So far, 537 units, representing more than 204 GW of capacity, have been identified for FGD installation. Of these, FGD systems have been installed in 49 units with a total capacity of 25,590 MW. The installation of FGD systems is part of the government’s strategy to balance growing energy demands with environmental sustainability.