The nation continues to rely on coal to fulfil its expanding energy needs, and the largest electricity generator in India, the government-run NTPC Ltd., wants to start building more coal plants this year. An official familiar with the plans, who asked to remain anonymous until a final decision is made, predicts that New Delhi-based NTPC will award construction contracts for roughly 4.5 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity during the fiscal year that started this month. The three locations where the projects will be developed are already home to power plants operated by the utility. The projects
demonstrate how India will continue to rely on the dirtiest fossil fuel in the short term to meet its fast increasing energy demand, even as it sets lofty long-term decarbonization ambitions. Power usage in the nation is breaking records due to a warmer globe and an increase in the use of air conditioners.
NTPC, which resumed coal plant construction last year after a lengthy break, anticipates placing orders for the construction of coal power plants totaling 1.32 gigawatts at Meja in Uttar Pradesh, 1.6 gigawatts each at Lara and Singrauli, and 1.6 gigawatts at each during the current fiscal year. The corporation, which currently uses 48% more coal than the country's average, wants to grow production from its own mines to 34 million tonnes this fiscal year.
The business is also building the basis for the addition of more carbon-free energy. The company is currently proposing a green hydrogen hub with renewable energy, electrolyzer manufacturing, and green hydrogen and ammonia production at Pudimadaka, a coastal site in the state of Andhra Pradesh that was formerly intended to house a 4 gigawatt coal power plant. After a recent attempt to find an investor failed, the company also intends to sell a stake in its clean energy division, NTPC Green Energy Ltd., most likely through a public offering.
