India's power generation capacity has surged by approximately 80% over the past decade, reaching a milestone of 4,46,190 MW (4.46 GW) as of June 2024, the Union Minister of State for Power, Shripad Naik, revealed to Parliament on Monday.
In a statement to the Rajya Sabha, Naik highlighted a significant leap from an installed capacity of 2,48,554 MW in March 2014 to the current 4,46,190 MW.
The increase reflects the government's ambitious efforts to bolster the nation's energy infrastructure.
The breakdown of this capacity boost shows a substantial rise in coal-based power, which grew from 1,39,663 MW in March 2014 to 2,10,969 MW in June 2024. Meanwhile, the renewable sector saw a remarkable expansion, with installed capacity climbing from 75,519 MW to 1,95,013 MW over the same period.
In a bid to further strengthen the energy sector, the Government of India has announced plans to establish an additional 80 GW of coal-based capacity by 2031-32. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to ensure a reliable and diverse energy mix for the future.
Naik also highlighted the advancements in grid infrastructure, with 1,95,181 circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines, 7,30,794 MVA of transformation capacity, and 82,790 MW of inter-regional capacity added.
These upgrades have connected the entire country into a single grid operating at one frequency, capable of transferring 1,18,740 MW across the nation.
"India's grid has evolved into one of the largest unified grids globally," Naik stated. "This integration has created a unified power market, allowing distribution companies to source electricity at the lowest possible rates from any generator across the country, ultimately leading to more affordable electricity for consumers."
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