Can India keep its net zero by 2070 promise?

What quantum of coal-based power generation capacity is under construction today? REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo When the CEA published its revised optimal generation mix report in April 2023, it projected a peak demand of 335 GW in 2029-30, and the required coal-based capacity was estimated at about 250 GW. Coal-based capacity existing when the CEA finalised its optimal mix report totalled 210 GW. Incidentally, for the period 2020-21 to 2023-24, India’s cumulative target for thermal capacity generation was about 41.9 GW, and we achieved about 16.2 GW. The government, of course, can’t solely be blamed for going ahead with coal-based generation; unless we add capacity, we will not be able to meet the 2030 demand.