Stating that India's energy sector was on the “cusp of transformation”, Coal India Chairman Gopal Singh on Wednesday said coal-based power generation capacity is expected to be over 330-441 GW by 2040 from the current 192 GW. “Coal-based power generation shall go up. Currently 73 per cent of the power generation of the country is coal based. The large planned new coal-based thermal capacity is likely to put pressure on coal,” said Gopal Singh.
Coal-based power generation capacity of 125 GW in 2012 is likely to go up to more than 330-441 GW by 2040, he said, adding that the demand for these plants is likely to be first met by domestic coal, which will require quick exploitation of reserves.