As coal is the major source of energy in India, the demand will continue with likely peak between 2030-2035. In 2022-23 (April, 22 to October, 22), the coal consumption in coal based power plants has increased to 447.6 Million Tonnes (MT) as compared to 398.2 MT during the same period of last year with a growth of 12 %.

Being an affordable source of energy with substantial reserve, coal is going to stay as major source of energy in the foreseeable future. The country will require base load capacity of coal-based generation for stability and also for energy security.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy plans to achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. So far, a total of 172.72 GW of capacity from non-fossil fuel sources has been installed in the country as on 31.10.2022. This includes119.09 GW RE (includes Solar 61.63 GW, Wind 41.84 GW, SHP 4.92 GW and Bio-Power 10.70 GW), 46.85 GW Large Hydro and 6.78 GW Nuclear Power capacity.

This information was given by the Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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AKN/ RKP