India to Invest INR 90,000 Crore in Subsea Power Links to Gulf, No New Coal Plants After 2035

In a landmark move to boost energy diplomacy and export capacity, India will invest INR 90,000 crore to establish subsea electricity transmission lines to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the initiative,recently, calling it a 'defining step in India’s clean energy export strategy.'

The project includes a INR 47,000 crore, 1,400-km subsea power line to Saudi Arabia and a INR 43,000 crore, 1,600-km cable to the UAE. Both links will carry 2 GW of electricity each. India has already signed joint venture agreements with both Gulf nations to execute the projects.

“These power corridors will not only enhance regional energy security but also establish India as a net exporter of clean electricity,” said Khattar during a review of the Power Ministry’s achievements over the past 11 years.

In a significant policy shift, the minister also announced that India will not approve any new coal-based thermal power plants after 2035. To meet future base-load requirements, the government is pivoting towards nuclear energy, with plans to set up at least one nuclear plant in every state outside seismic zone 5. Efforts are being made to shorten the commissioning period of nuclear plants from 13 years to 8–9 years.

Meanwhile, India’s biofuel sector continues to show strong momentum. TruAlt Bioenergy, a key player in this space, is expanding its footprint in compressed biogas and aims to become one of the country’s largest Bio-CNG producers. The company currently holds a 7 percent share in molasses-based ethanol production and 3.7 percent of India’s overall ethanol supply.

The country’s ethanol blending program has also made impressive strides, reaching 18.4 percent in the current supply year. A record 19.7 percent was achieved in February 2025, keeping the government on track to meet the 20 percent target by year-end.