NEW DELHI — To keep pace with a projected peak demand of 307,000 MW, the Union Government plans to add 97,000 MW of coal and lignite-based thermal capacity by 2034-35. Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik detailed this massive energy roadmap in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

The Thermal Expansion Roadmap

As of January 2026, India's total installed capacity stands at 520.51 GW, with thermal power remaining a critical base-load pillar:

• Completed: 18,160 MW commissioned since April 2023.
• Under Construction: 38,745 MW (including 4,845 MW of "stressed" projects).
• Awarded: 22,920 MW of contracts have been finalized.
• Planning Phase: 24,020 MW identified for future development.

Diversified Energy Portfolio (by 2031-32)

While thermal capacity is expanding, the government is simultaneously pushing for a cleaner energy mix to reach a projected 874 GW total capacity by 2032:

• Renewables: 157,800 MW under construction (Solar: 67,280 MW; Hybrid: 60,040 MW).
• Nuclear & Hydro: 6,600 MW of nuclear and 12,723 MW of hydro projects are currently in progress.
• Energy Storage: Over 21,000 MW of Pumped Storage (PSP) and Battery Storage (BESS) are either under construction or in the tendering phase.

The strategy reflects India’s dual challenge: ensuring energy security through traditional coal while rapidly scaling storage and green energy to meet international climate commitments.