Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Government is planning to set up an additional 80 GW coal-based power capacity with an investment of Rs 6.67 lakh crore by 2031-32 to meet the growing demand for electricity in the country.
The target has been fixed following a study carried out by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). As per the study results, it is envisaged that to meet the base load requirement of the country in 2032, the required coal & lignite based installed capacity would be 283 GW against the present installed capacity of 217.5 GW, according to information provided by Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik to the Rajya Sabha.
The estimated capital cost for setting up new coal-based thermal capacity as considered in the National Electricity Plan is Rs 8.34 crore/MW (at 2021-22 price level). Hence, the thermal capacity addition is expected to entail an expenditure of a minimum Rs 6,67,200 crore by 2031-32. Naik also said that to reduce the dependency on coal-based thermal power plants, the Government has planned to augment non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity generation capacity. India in its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) stands committed to achieving about 50 per cent cumulative electric power.
