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Thermal for Stability, Renewables for Growth: India’s Balanced Energy Transition.

CEA’s 100 GW Thermal Expansion Key to Integrating 500 GW Renewables by 2030: Vedanta CEO.                                                                                                                

NEW DELHI: The Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) plan to add 100 GW of thermal capacity will be crucial in ensuring grid stability and enabling smooth integration of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, said Rajinder Singh Ahuja, CEO (Power), Vedanta. Speaking at the 6th CII International Energy Conference & Exhibition, Ahuja stressed that thermal power remains essential until hydro, nuclear, pump storage, and battery storage can fully take over as spinning reserves. He noted that while renewables account for 50% of India’s installed capacity of 473 GW, only 12% of actual consumption comes from solar and wind, underscoring the need for balancing power sources. Government support for PSP, BESS, hydro, and nuclear will help bridge gaps during non-solar hours, he said. Ahuja cautioned that transmission delays could derail renewable targets, and urged policy and financial support for Independent Power Producers adapting to regulatory changes like biomass co-firing and flexible plant operations.