Thermal generation growth slowest in FY 2024-25 since Covid

Mumbai: India’s total electricity generation reached 1,821 billion units (BU) in Financial Year (FY) 2024–25, marking a 5 percent year-on-year increase over the 1,734 BU generated in FY 2023–24. 

While this continues the post-Covid pandemic upward trajectory, the pace of growth has slowed. 

Generation grew by 7 percent in FY 2023–24 and 9 percent in FY 2022–23.

Among all sources, thermal power recorded the slowest growth in FY 2024–25 at just 2.8 percent, rising from 1,326 BU to 1,363 BU. 

In contrast, nuclear power grew by 18.4 percent, large hydro by 10.8 percent, and renewable energy by 11.4 percent.

This was revealed in a report of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), which  analysed data for the period FY 2019–20 to FY 2024–25 to capture key trends in electricity demand, supply, and coal stock position amid rising temperatures and changing consumption patterns.

In FY 2024–25, peak power demand reached 250.1 GW, a 4.2 percent rise over FY 2023–24.

Importantly, this nearly matched the total peak demand including unmet demand, which stood at 250.2 GW. This indicates a significant improvement from FY 2023–24, when 10.7 GW of demand went unmet out of a total peak demand of 250.7 GW.

On the day of peak demand in FY 2024–25, the share of renewable energy (solar, wind, and biomass) rose to 15 percent of total generation, up from 9 percent in FY 2023–24. Coal and lignite held steady, marginally declining from 71 percent to 70 percent. 

Nuclear and gas-based sources maintained shares of 2 percent and 4 percent respectively. However, the share of large hydro projects dropped from 14 percent in FY 2023–24 to 9 percent in FY 2024–25, influenced by seasonal reservoir variations - 14 percent was recorded in September (monsoon), while 9 percent was seen in May (pre-monsoon).

As FY 2025–26 begins, coal stock at thermal power plants stands at 58.1 million tonnes, 15 percent higher than the 50.5 million tonnes recorded at the start of FY 2024–25. This trend of rising opening coal stock has continued over recent years, with levels of 36.9 million tonnes in April 2023 and 25.4 million tonnes in April 2022. The steady increase indicates a greater emphasis on pre-season stockpiling to meet high power demand reliably.

In a statement, Manoj Kumar, analyst, CREA, said: "India ranked third globally in renewable energy generation in 2024. The new battery storage guidelines mandating storage for upcoming renewable projects signal progress toward a more flexible grid, paving the way for meeting future peak demand reliably.”