Rs 6.67 lakh crore needed by 2031-32 to expand thermal power capacity
The Centre proposes an additional GW coal-based capacity by 2031-32
image for illustrative purpose
The Union Power Ministry has estimated that the expansion required in the country’s thermal capacity to meet the growing demand for electricity will entail an expenditure of a minimum of Rs. 6.67 lakh crore by 2031-32, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik informed the Parliament.
In order to meet the estimated electricity demand by the year 2031-32, generation planning studies have been carried out by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), he told the Lok Sabha in a written reply. As per the study results, it is envisaged that to meet the base load requirement of the country in 2032, the required coal and lignite-based installed capacity would be 283 GW against the present installed capacity of 217.5 GW. Considering this, the Centre proposes to set up an additional minimum 80 GW coal-based capacity by 2031-32, Naik said.
The estimated capital cost for setting up new coal-based thermal capacity as considered in the National Electricity Plan is Rs. 8.34 crore per MW (1,000 MW=1GW). The cost has been worked out at the 2021-22 price level. To reduce the dependence on coal-based thermal power plants, the government has planned to augment non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity generation capacity.
