Archive · 13 Jan 2026
India's Coal Power Generation Declines
For the first time in 50 years, India's coal-fired electricity generation went down in 2025.
This happened because more electricity is now coming from renewable sources like solar and wind, which grew by 22%.
The summer was also milder, and people needed less electricity.
Even though coal plants still make a lot of electricity, they are not needed as much as before.
This is good news for the environment because coal plants produce a lot of pollution.
India is now using more clean energy, which helps reduce greenhouse gases that harm the planet.
India's coal-fired electricity generation declined by 3% in 2025, the first year-on-year decline in 50 years.
Renewable energy generation increased by 22% in 2025, contributing 270 billion units of electricity.
Large hydro generation grew by 15% in 2025, adding 180 billion units of electricity.
The decline in coal-fired generation is attributed to the rapid growth in renewable energy, a milder summer, and decreased power demand growth.
India might not need significant new coal capacity additions to meet its 2030 electricity demand due to the expansion of clean energy.
- Who
- Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)
- What
- First year-on-year decline in coal-fired electricity generation in India in 50 years
- When
- 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- Rapid growth in renewable energy, milder summer, and decreased power demand growth
- Coal-Fired Electricity Generation (2025)
- 1,283 billion units
- Coal-Fired Electricity Generation (2024)
- 1,322 billion units
- Decline in Coal-Fired Generation (2025)
- 3%
- Renewable Energy Generation (2025)
- 270 billion units
- Renewable Energy Generation (2024)
- 221 billion units
- Growth in Renewable Energy (2025)
- 22%
- Large Hydro Generation (2025)
- 180 billion units
- Large Hydro Generation (2024)
- 157 billion units
- Growth in Large Hydro (2025)
- 15%
- New Renewable Capacity (2025)
- 41 GW
Sources
Coal continues to contribute to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047: PM Modi
Power sector share in coal offtake hits record low in December 2025
Coal-fired power generation sees year-on-year decline for the first time in half a century
Coal is like ‘gold’ for a Viksit Bharat: Modi
