India Banks on Coal, Renewables, Storage to Meet April–June 2026 Demand

India has taken a series of emergency and preventive measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during the peak summer months of April to June 2026, even as concerns persist over reduced availability and volatile prices of natural gas due to the ongoing Middle East crisis.

According to the Ministry of Power, the country currently has an installed generation capacity of 524 GW as of February 2026, after adding 299.87 GW since April 2014. The ministry said that the country has moved from a power-deficit situation to being power-sufficient.

Gas-based generation, which typically contributes around 10 GW during non-solar hours in summer, is expected to face pressure because of the disruption in natural gas supplies. However, the government said that coal-fired plants, renewable energy and battery storage systems would compensate for the lower gas-based output.

To strengthen supply, the Centre has issued directions for the 4,000 MW Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd. plant operated by Tata Power to begin operations from April 1, 2026. The project is expected to improve power availability in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab.

The ministry has also deferred the planned maintenance of thermal power stations, making an additional 10,000 MW available during April–June 2026. At the same time, construction progress of thermal and hydro projects scheduled for commissioning by June 2026 is being closely monitored.

The government is accelerating approvals for renewable energy projects, particularly wind projects and battery energy storage systems, in a bid to bring new capacity online before the summer peak.

Coal availability has also been strengthened. As of March 22, 2026, coal-based power plants held 58.2 million tonnes of coal stock, sufficient to run plants for an average of 19 days at 85 per cent plant load factor. The Centre has advised Coal India Limited to undertake auctions under Window-I and Window-II of the revised SHAKTI Policy 2025 to ensure additional coal supplies to generating companies.

Further, domestic coal movement has risen sharply, with average rake loading increasing to 465 rakes per day over the last 10 days. Coal India Limited, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd., captive coal mine operators and generating companies have been directed to further increase loading, which is being monitored by a sub-group constituted by the Ministry of Coal.

The government has also notified the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2026, amending the 2005 rules, to promote captive power generation by industries. Hydro power stations are being operated strategically to conserve water and utilise generation during peak-demand hours.

The ministry has directed all generating companies, including independent power producers and central generating stations, to maintain full availability except during planned maintenance or forced outages.

India added 8,810 MW of thermal power capacity during FY26 up to January 2026. Major projects commissioned during the year include the 800 MW Unit-1 of Yadadri Thermal Power Station in Telangana, the 800 MW Unit-4 of the same project, the 800 MW Unit-6 of North Chennai Thermal Power Station Stage III, and the 800 MW Unit-1 of Patratu Thermal Power Station.

Other major additions include 660 MW units at North Karanpura Thermal Power Project, Barh Super Thermal Power Station Stage I, Obra C Super Thermal Power Project, Khurja Super Thermal Power Project, Buxar Thermal Power Project and Ghatampur Thermal Power Project.

In addition, the 660 MW Unit-5 of Sagardighi Thermal Power Station Stage III is expected to be commissioned by March 2026.