Archive · 25 Aug 2026
India’s Coal Demand Seen Staying Central Through 2047
B Sairam says India will continue using a lot of coal for many years.
He expects coal to remain an important part of the country’s energy supply until 2047.
He also says electricity demand will be extremely high in FY27.
India currently uses about 1,600 kilowatt-hours of energy per person each year.
By 2047, that figure could rise above 4,000 kilowatt-hours.
More factories and industrial activity are expected to require more energy.
Sairam believes this growth will happen as India becomes more developed.
His comments indicate that coal will remain important even as India works toward an energy transition.
Coal India Limited CMD B Sairam said coal will remain central to India’s energy basket until 2047.
He described power demand in FY27 as “extremely high.”
Sairam said India’s per capita energy consumption is currently about 1,600 kilowatt-hours.
He expects per capita energy consumption to exceed 4,000 kilowatt-hours by 2047.
He attributed rising energy demand mainly to industrialization as India develops.
- Who
- B Sairam, CMD of Coal India Limited.
- What
- Sairam said coal will remain central to India’s energy basket until 2047 and that power demand will be extremely high in FY27.
- When
- The outlook covers FY27 and extends to 2047.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Industrialization and rising per capita energy consumption are expected to drive demand.
- FY27 power demand
- Described by B Sairam as “extremely high.”
- Coal outlook
- Expected to remain central to India’s energy basket until 2047.
- Current per capita energy consumption
- About 1,600 kilowatt-hours.
- 2047 per capita energy target
- Expected to be above 4,000 kilowatt-hours.
- Main demand driver
- Industrialization.
- Speaker
- B Sairam, CMD of Coal India Limited.