The role of coal in Indias energy ambitions

India is the worlds second most populous country and figures among the worlds most rapidly growing economies.

The South Asian giant is home to one-fifth of the worlds population and an additional 315 million people almost the population of the United States today are expected to live in Indias cities by 2040.

Since 2010, the countrys GDP has grown at an annual average of 6.8% and it is projected to surpass Germany at some stage in the 2020s to become the fourth-largest in the world, and Japan sometime around 2040 to become the third.

Energy demand

India is the worlds third largest energy consumer, after China and the US.

However, as the country goes through profound economic and societal transformations, such as economic and population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation, energy demand is expected to increase substantially.

As an example, the Make in India” campaign, which puts manufacturing at the heart of Indias growth model, means that a large rise in energy will be needed to fuel Indias development.

It is not a surprise then that the countrys energy demand is projected to more than double through to 2040. By then, Indias energy demand will be half that of China, up from less than 30% in 2017, and its share of global demand will rise to 11% from 5% in 2016.

Coal in the energy mix

With Indias energy consumption growing by 4.6% per annum, faster than any other major economy across the world, coal will be essential to help the country meet its future energy needs.

As reported by the 2018 International Energy Agency World Energy Outlook, coal is and will continue to be the countrys largest source of energy, maintaining its historic and crucial role in fuelling developing economies and infrastructure.

Despite the significant growth of renewables, coal still accounts for the primary share of generation in India, supplying 74% of its electricity.

Yet, even as the Modi government strives to ensure universal electricity access by the early 2020s, Indias power system will need to almost quadruple its size by 2040, and investments up to $2 trillion will be required to keep pace with increasing demand.

Large-scale power generation will be at the heart of Indias strategy to electrification, with coal-fired power output forecast to almost double by 2040. This means that while solar will support energy access in rural communities, coal will power up the growing cities, industries and businesses that are key to Indias economic growth.

The outlook

Coal has allowed millions of people to gain access to energy and will continue to be essential to Indias development and rapid urbanisation.

Looking ahead, with coal demand in the country predicted to rise by 120% through to 2040 (IEA), it is clear that it will remain a crucial part of Indias future energy system, as well as acting as a critical enabler for electrification.