This assumes significance in view of India's ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030

PTI New Delhi

The power ministry has planned to develop an additional 97 GW coal and lignite-based electricity generation capacity to achieve the required 307 GW of thermal installed capacity by 2034-35, Parliament was informed on Thursday. This assumes significance in view of India's ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and net zero target by 2070.

In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Power Shripad Yesso Naik said, "The projected thermal (coal and lignite) capacity requirement by the year 2034-35 is estimated at approximately 3,07,000 MW as against the 2,11,855 MW installed capacity as on March 31, 2023." The minister informed the House that to meet this requirement, the Ministry of Power has envisaged setting up an additional minimum of 97,000 MW of coal and lignite-based thermal capacity.

The installed electricity generation capacity in the country is 485 GW as on June 2025. As per the National Electricity Plan (Generation) published in May 2023, India's installed generation capacity is likely to increase to about 870 GW by 2031-32. Thermal capacities of around 11,680 MW have already been commissioned since April 2023 till June 2025.