Archive · 13 Nov 2025
India Adds 5.09 GW Thermal Capacity in First Half of FY26
India is building more traditional power plants that run on coal and other fuels.
In the first six months of the current financial year, they added over 5 gigawatts of this type of power.
They have a goal to add more than 12 gigawatts for the whole year.
This is faster than they have been adding power plants in the last few years.
Some power plants are in government-run facilities, and some are run by private companies.
However, building these power plants can be slow because they need many things like equipment, land, and transport links to work.
Even though India wants a lot of clean energy like solar and wind, they still need these coal plants because they provide power when it's needed most and are quicker and sometimes cheaper to build than other options.
India's total power capacity is now over 500 gigawatts.
India added 5.09 GW of thermal power capacity in the first half of fiscal year 2025-26.
The country aims to add 12.86 GW of thermal capacity for the entire fiscal year 2025-26.
Delays in equipment supply and land acquisition are key reasons for slower commissioning of thermal plants.
India has affirmed its reliance on coal-based power to meet increasing energy demands, setting a target of 97 GW by 2034-35.
Total installed capacity reached 500.89 GW by September 30, 2025, with thermal capacity accounting for 244.79 GW.
- Who
- India (Central, State, and Private sectors)
- What
- Added 5.09 GW of thermal power capacity in the first half of fiscal year 2025-26, indicating a pick-up in pace, though below the annual target.
- When
- First half of fiscal year 2025-26 (April to September 2025) and projections for the full fiscal year.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To meet the increasing power demand, as renewable energy alone is considered insufficient for peak demand, despite India's renewable energy targets.
- Fiscal Year
- 2025-26
- Thermal Capacity Added (H1 FY26)
- 5.09 GW
- Target Thermal Capacity Addition (FY26)
- 12.86 GW
- Commissioned Thermal Units (as of Sep 30, 2025)
- 5
- Private Sector Units Commissioned (H1 FY26)
- 4
- Private Sector Capacity Added (H1 FY26)
- 1.65 GW
- Total Installed Capacity (as of Sep 30, 2025)
- 500.89 GW
- Thermal Capacity Share (as of Sep 30, 2025)
- 244.79 GW
