Now Reading: India nearly doubles planned coal capacity to 638 mtpa
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India nearly doubles planned coal capacity to 638 mtpa
India nearly doubled its planned coal mining capacity to 638 million tonnes per annum in 2025, driving almost all the growth in the global coal project pipeline, Global Energy Monitor reports. The…
The Story in Brief
India nearly doubled its planned coal mining capacity to 638 million tonnes per annum in 2025, driving almost all the growth in the global coal project pipeline, Global Energy Monitor reports. The global pipeline rose 11% to 2,521 mtpa. India's capacity jumped from 329 mtpa a year earlier.
The expansion aims to meet rising power demand even as renewables grow rapidly and the International Energy Agency forecasts global coal demand will plateau by 2030. Wind and solar overtook coal in the global electricity mix for the first time in 2025. Most new capacity is planned in Jharkhand and Odisha. India targets coal production of 1.15 billion tonnes in fiscal 2025/26 and 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030. The report warns rapid growth could leave producers exposed if demand weakens faster than expected.
The Indian Opinion
The Global Energy Monitor data reveals the gap between India's renewable ambitions and its immediate power needs. Both sides in the energy debate pick facts: one points to record solar growth, the other to surging coal proposals. The real test will be whether the planned mines actually get built. Global coal demand growth is slowing, and new capacity additions fell 40% in 2025. If demand plateaus as the IEA expects, will the government revise its 1.5-billion-tonne target down? That number will settle the question.
Sources (2): thehindubusinessline.com, economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
