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India Slows Coal Production as Renewable Energy Surges
10 Nov
Summary
- India has large coal stockpiles at pitheads
- Renewable energy generation has increased significantly
- India's peak power demand in 2025 is lower than earlier projections
As of November 10, 2025, India has slowed its coal production amid large stockpiles of unused coal at pitheads and lower thermal power demand. Government sources indicate that nearly 100 million tonnes of coal are currently available at pitheads, in addition to stocks sufficient for over 21 days of power supply at thermal power plants.
This slowdown in coal production is a sign of India's ongoing transition towards clean energy. Over the past decade, the country's renewable energy capacity has expanded more than fivefold, from under 35 GW in 2014 to over 197 GW (excluding large hydro) as of October 2025. Additionally, India's peak power demand in 2025 has ranged between 240 GW and 245 GW, well below the earlier projection of 277 GW.
Just a few months ago, in July 2025, India achieved a significant milestone in its energy transition journey by reaching 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources, five years ahead of the target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC. The country is also planning to phase out the import of natural gas for power generation to further curb its import dependence and greenhouse gas emissions.
