India News: Coal Power Reaches 164.9 Gigawatts in April

India news: coal-fired power generation rose to an average of 164.9 gigawatts in April, up from 160.7 gigawatts a year earlier, as the country leaned harder on coal to meet electricity demand. Andre Lambine, an S&P Global Energy analyst, said, "Heatwave conditions, with readings above 40-45 degrees C, across several places in India have lifted power demand."

The increase came as all 50 of the world's hottest cities were in India on April 27. Coal-fired power plants generate over 70% of India's electricity, and the share generated by coal is likely to increase this year.

Heatwave Demand in India

Heatwave conditions across several places in India have pushed power use higher during a period when high liquefied natural gas prices have made gas-based power generation less viable. That has left coal as the more available fuel for meeting load as temperatures climbed above 40-45 degrees C in multiple areas.

The shift is also showing up beyond the power sector. Industries such as cement producers are turning to coal because supplies of petroleum coke have been disrupted due to the conflict in West Asia, and the conflict has pushed prices higher. Firat Ergene is named in the facts as a Kpler source tied to that market shift.

India Carbon Targets

India has pledged to cut its economy's emissions intensity by 47% by 2035 and reach net-zero status by 2070. It is also the world's third-largest carbon dioxide emitter, and its emissions continue to rise, albeit at a slower pace than in previous decades.

That leaves the present increase in coal use on top of a longer-running emissions challenge. If the El Nino climate effect occurs, coal-fired power generation in India could grow by up to 10% year-on-year, which would keep coal central in the power mix during another period of heavy demand.