CEA recommends addition of 80 GW of coal-based capacity by 2031-32

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recommended a coal and lignite-based installed capacity of 283 GW, up from the current 217.5 GW. Consequently, the Ministry of Power (MoP) is planning to establish an additional minimum of 80 GW of coal-based capacity by 2031-32.

This expansion is expected to entail an expenditure of at least Rs. 6,672 billion by 2031-32. According to Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), the country is committed to achieving approximately 50 per cent of its cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. Currently, India has achieved 45.5 per cent installed capacity from these resources. To further this objective, several initiatives have been undertaken:

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Permitting FDI up to 100 per cent under the automatic route.

Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) Waiver: Waiver of ISTS charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025.

Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO): Declaration of the RPO trajectory up to 2029-30.

Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks: Setting up parks to provide land and transmission connectivity to renewable energy developers.

Various Schemes: Including PM-KUSUM, Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12,000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

Green Energy Corridor Scheme: Laying new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity.

Solar Standards: Notification of standards for the deployment of solar photovoltaic systems/devices.

Project Development Cell: Setting up a cell for attracting and facilitating investments.

Standard Bidding Guidelines: For tariff-based competitive bidding processes.

Letter of Credit (LC) or Advance Payment: Ensuring timely payments to renewable energy generators.

Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022: Promoting renewable energy through these rules.

Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM): Facilitating the sale of renewable power through exchanges.

National Green Hydrogen Mission: Aiming to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilization, and export.

Prescribed Trajectory for RE Power Bids: Setting an annual target of 50 GW of RE bids from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.

To reduce emissions from thermal power plants, the government has implemented several measures:

Emission Norms: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified norms for reducing stack emissions such as Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Sox & NOx, with plants using techniques like Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP), Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD), and NOx Combustion Modification.

Efficient Units: Promoting the installation of Supercritical/Ultra Supercritical units over Subcritical Thermal Units.

Biomass Utilization Policy: Mandating 5-7 per cent co-firing of biomass, primarily agro-residue, with coal in thermal power plants.