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News 10 of 27

CEA's National Generation Adequacy Plan Projects 1,100 GW Capacity by 2035-36, 87.2 GW New Coal Under Review

EconomyEnvironmentInfrastructureHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
14 May 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:Over 1,100 GW70% non-fossil87.2 GW coal25-30% coal import₹1.4 lakh crore/year savings174 GW / 888 GWh storage
Bodies:Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Central Electricity Authority's (CEA) National Generation Adequacy Plan (NGAP) for 2026-27 to 2035-36 projects over 1,100 GW capacity by 2035-36, with 70% non-fossil fuel and 87.2 GW new coal.

2.A stress-test model indicates this coal could be replaced by ~191 GW solar, ~51 GW wind, and 38 GW of storage, potentially reducing annual system costs by ₹1.4 lakh crore.

3.Examiners can test the CEA's role, NGAP projections, and the critical system constraints for RE integration: storage continuity, charging sufficiency, and block-level deficits.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

A stress-test analysis of India's long-term power plan suggests that replacing 87.2 GW of planned new coal capacity with massive renewable energy (RE) and storage build-out could save over ₹1.4 lakh crore annually. This is a critical debate for UPSC aspirants on India's energy security, cost structures, and the trade-offs between thermal and renewable power in achieving generation adequacy.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total Capacity Projection (2035-36)Over 1,100 GW
Non-fossil Capacity TargetAbout 70%
New Coal Capacity Planned (2025-36)87.2 GW
India's Coal Import Dependency25-30%
Storage in NGAP (2035-36)174 GW / 888 GWh

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total Capacity Projection (2035-36): Over 1,100 GW
  • ›Non-fossil Capacity Target: About 70%
  • ›Target this Data: 1,100 GW total capacity & 70% non-fossil share projected for 2035-36 in NGAP.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Central Electricity Authority (CEA) - the body that releases the National Generation Adequacy Plan (NGAP).
  • ›Target this Constraint: The three system constraints for RE to replace coal: Storage continuity, Charging sufficiency, and Block-level deficits.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which statutory organization under the Ministry of Power is responsible for releasing the National Generation Adequacy Plan (NGAP) mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the National Generation Adequacy Plan (NGAP) 2026-27 to 2035-36:

1. It projects a total installed capacity of over 1,100 GW by 2035-36, with about 70% from non-fossil sources.

2. The plan proposes the addition of 87.2 GW of coal-based capacity between 2025-26 and 2035-36.

3. A deterministic stress-test analysis suggests this planned coal capacity can be fully replaced by additional solar and wind energy without requiring any storage capacity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what is India's approximate coal import dependency, which contributes to the fuel price risk for new thermal plants?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary advantage of shifting from a coal-heavy to a renewable energy (RE) and storage-based power system, as highlighted in the article's analysis?

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