India Says No Immediate Plans to Add Coal Power Capacity Beyond 2035, Signals Shift Toward Renewables

India’s top power ministry official has confirmed that the country has no immediate plans to expand coal-fired power capacity beyond 2035, marking a potential turning point in its long-term energy strategy.
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At a recent ministry event, Pankaj Agarwal — Secretary, Ministry of Power — said that by 2035, India intends to maintain a coal-based capacity target of 307 gigawatts (GW).
ETEnergyworld.com
He added that it would be “premature to say what we want to do beyond 2035,” signalling a cautious stance on further coal expansion.
Business Standard
The decision comes as India aggressively pursues growth in clean and renewable energy. The government is working to double non-fossil fuel capacity to 500 GW by 2030 — a major push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while meeting rising electricity demand.
India Today
Officials cited growing challenges in grid integration as renewables ramp up: managing surplus clean energy, ensuring storage and transmission infrastructure, and balancing demand peaks have complicated decisions on additional coal capacity.
indiasnews.net
Analysts say the move reflects a broader energy-transition strategy. While coal will remain part of India’s energy mix — especially to meet baseload and evening demand — the government appears to be signalling a gradual pivot toward renewables, storage solutions, and cleaner energy technologies before committing to more coal power infrastructure beyond 2035.