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Coal India Misses Solar Target: Only 4% Capacity Installed
16 Dec
Summary
- Coal India installed 4.08% of its 3,000 MW solar target by December 2024.
- CAG urged faster execution for Coal India to achieve Net Zero energy status.
- Project completion is now extended to 2027-28, with work orders for 727 MW.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has reported that Coal India Ltd (CIL) has fallen far short of its 3,000 MW solar power generation target, having installed only 4.08% of the capacity by December 2024. This significant delay has prompted the CAG to urge CIL to expedite project development to achieve its Net Zero energy company goals.
Despite being entrusted with the target in 2017 for completion by 2024, CIL has only progressed with work orders for 692.50 MW of ground-mounted and 34.56 MW of rooftop solar projects. The projected commissioning for these projects has been extended to the 2027-28 fiscal year, indicating a substantial setback from the original timeline.
To facilitate this transition, Coal India had established joint ventures with NTPC Ltd and NLC India Limited for 1000 MW projects each, alongside a Memorandum of Understanding with Solar Energy Corporation Ltd. A dedicated special purpose vehicle, CIL Navikarniya Urja Ltd, was also formed to fast-track solar initiatives.
