The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged significant delays in the development of around 3,000 MW of solar power projects being undertaken by Coal India Limited (CIL), raising concerns over project execution, planning, and coordination in the public sector miner’s renewable energy push.
According to the audit observations, the solar projects, which were planned as part of Coal India’s diversification strategy into clean energy, faced setbacks due to delays in land acquisition, finalisation of implementation models, and slow decision-making processes. These factors collectively resulted in time overruns and affected the timely achievement of targeted renewable capacity.
The CAG report noted that while Coal India had announced ambitious plans to expand its solar footprint in line with national renewable energy goals, the execution on the ground did not keep pace with timelines set by the company. In several cases, project approvals and tendering processes were prolonged, leading to deferment of commissioning schedules.
The audit also highlighted gaps in inter-agency coordination and inadequate monitoring mechanisms, which further compounded delays. As a result, the anticipated benefits of reduced carbon footprint, optimal use of surplus land, and diversification of revenue streams were not realised within the intended timeframe.
Coal India has been positioning renewable energy as a strategic pillar to support its long-term transition while continuing to meet the country’s coal demand. The CAG’s findings underline the need for stronger project management frameworks, clearer accountability, and faster decision-making to ensure future renewable projects are executed efficiently.