Data from Global Energy Monitor reveals that India’s ambitious coal pipeline contrasts with a broader global decline in new mine additions, which plummeted 40% to 113 million tons annually. New Delhi aims to ramp up domestic production to 1.15 billion metric tons this fiscal year, with targets reaching 1.5 billion by 2026/27. Rajnath Ram of NITI Aayog confirmed that coal remains a foundational element of the nation’s power grid for at least the next two decades.

To decouple from volatile international markets, India is aggressively shifting its 18.7-GW imported-coal fleet to domestic sources. By June, some facilities were sourcing up to 70% of their supply internally. This transition is supported by a rise in renewable energy installations, which helps balance the grid as the government works to reduce overall thermal coal imports.