India Ramps Up Coal Power Generation Amid Lower Hydropower Output and Rising Electricity Demand

• India has increased coal's share in power generation to 77% in early April, up 2 percentage points, as hydropower output falls 11% • Lower hydropower output threatens blackouts as summer approaches and electricity demand continues to rise • India expects good monsoon rains this summer, but is boosting coal power as backup given rainfall uncertainty
• India added 63% more planned new thermal power capacity to meet strong 6% annual electricity demand growth • Most new power capacity will be coal, as high natural gas prices make gas power unavailable to India