Latest News

Tata Power, India plans first coal expansion in six months

Tata Power, India plans first coal expansion in six months

Tata Power plans to increase the capacity of a plant located in northern India by increasing its coal power in six years, according a tender document. The clean energy sector in India is suffering from project delays and a weaker demand.

Why it's important

Tata Power has increased its coal power generation capacity for the first time since it acquired Prayagraj Power Generation Co Ltd in 2019. This was done through a joint-venture.

The proposal comes as the Indian government targets at least 500 gigawatts of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

CONTEXT

India's renewable sector faces a number of obstacles, including a lack of demand for bids, problems with land acquisition for projects, delays in power agreements, and cancellations of projects.

PPGCL, a 1,980 Megawatts (MW), coal-powered power plant located in Uttar Pradesh's northern state is owned by Tata Power associate Renascent Power.

According to a tender document published by the company, PPGCL is now requesting an environmental impact assessment for the expansion of the power plant's capacity by 1,600MW.

By the Numbers

The cumulative capacity of India's clean power sales agreements that have not been signed has exceeded 40 GW.

In 2024, the country added more than 28 GW in solar and wind power. Despite a large pipeline of renewable energy projects, fossil fuels still accounted for over two-thirds (or 63%) of the increase in total electricity generation.

India plans to increase its coal-fired power by 80 GW between 2031-32, bringing the total to 220 GW. This will help meet the growing demand for domestic electricity.

Tata Power has an 8.9 GW coal portfolio in six Indian States and plans to increase its clean energy capacity from 6.7 GW today, at a cost of $9 billion. Sethuraman N.R. in Bengaluru, Shounak D. Dasgupta edited the article.

(source: Reuters)