New Delhi, March 16 The government plans to add 97,000 MW of thermal power capacity based on coal and lignite by 2034–35 to meet the anticipated 3,07,000 MW requirement, Parliament was informed on Monday.
To meet this requirement, several initiatives have already been undertaken, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
The projected thermal (coal and lignite) capacity requirement by 2034–35 is estimated at approximately 3,07,000 MW, and to meet this requirement, the power ministry has envisaged setting up an additional 97,000 MW, he added.
Thermal capacities of around 18,160 MW have already been commissioned since April 2023 until January 31, 2026. In addition, 38,745 MW of thermal capacity, including 4,845 MW of stressed thermal power projects, is currently under construction.
Besides, contracts of 22,920 MW have been awarded and are due for construction.
Further, 24,020 MW of coal and lignite-based capacity has been identified, which is at various stages of planning in the country.
The country's overall installed generation capacity was 520.51 GW as of January 2026.
According to the National Electricity Plan (NEP), installed generation capacity in 2031-32 is likely to be 874 GW.
Naik said that 12,723.50 MW of hydroelectric projects are under construction.
Further, 4,274 MW of hydroelectric projects are under various stages of planning and targeted to be completed by 2031-32.
He also informed the house that 6,600 MW of nuclear capacity is under construction and targeted to be completed by 2029-30. Another 7,000 MW capacity is under various stages of planning and approval.
The minister shared that 1,57,800 MW renewable capacity, including 67,280 MW of solar, 6,500 MW of wind and 60,040 MW hybrid power, is under construction, while 48,720 MW (35,440 MW of solar and 11,480 MW hybrid) is at various stages of planning and targeted to be completed by 2029-30.
In energy storage systems, 11,620 MW/69,720 MWh pumped storage projects (PSPs) are under construction. A total of 6,580 MW/39,480 MWh capacity of PSPs are concurred and yet to be taken up for construction, Naik said.
Currently, 9,653.94 MW/ 26,729.32 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity is under construction, and 19,797.65 MW/ 61,013.40 MWh BESS capacity are under tendering stage.