India's power mix still leans heavily on coal despite renewable growth

India's electricity generation in the second quarter of fiscal 2026/27 rose 11% year on year, according to CREA. Coal and lignite supplied about two-thirds of the total, even as solar and wind output grew sharply and non-fossil sources reached a record share of installed capacity. Renewable capacity additions outpaced thermal additions, but grid constraints and low coal stocks at many plants remained challenges.

In Q2 FY2026–27, India's electricity output climbed 11% year on year. Coal and lignite met roughly two-thirds of demand, and their generation rose 12.5%. Solar and wind expanded 39% and 29%, respectively, while non-fossil sources hit a record generation share. By 1 October, 85 coal plants held less than a quarter of required stocks.

Peak demand hit 270 GW on 16 July, 18% above the prior-year quarter. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra each reached 27 GW. Renewables added 7 GW versus 0.8 GW thermal, with 648 MW retired. Installed capacity was 555 GW by August 2026; non-fossil sources made up about 55%. Battery storage totaled 9.1 GWh.

Count words: First para: In(1) Q2(2) FY2026–27(3), India's(4) electricity(5) output(6) climbed(7) 11%(8) year(9) on(10) year(11). Coal(12) and(13) lignite(14) met(15) roughly(16) two-thirds(17) of(18) demand(19), and(20) their(21) generation(22) rose(23) 12.5%(24). Solar(25) and(26) wind(27) expanded(28) 39%(29) and(30) 29%(31), respectively(32), while(33) non-fossil(34) sources(35) hit(36) a(37) record(38) generation(39) share(40). By(41) 1(42) October(43), 85(44) coal(45) plants(46) held(47) less(48) than(49) a(50) quarter(51) of(52) required(53) stocks(54). =54. Second: Peak(1) demand(2) hit(3) 270(4) GW(5) on(6) 16(7) July(8), 18%(9) above(10) the(11) prior-year(12) quarter(13). Uttar(14) Pradesh(15) and(16) Maharashtra(17) each(18) reached(19) 27(20) GW(21). Renewables(22) added(23) 7(24) GW(25) versus(26) 0.8(27) GW(28) thermal(29), with(30) 6