India Plans Increased Coal Power Amid Gas and Hydro Supply Challenges

India may increase coal-based thermal power generation due to declining gas and hydro supplies amid geopolitical tensions affecting LNG imports. Brokerages predict higher plant load factors for thermal utilities like Adani Power, JSW Energy, Tata Power, and Torrent Power in the first half of FY27. The government could invoke Section 11 of the Electricity Act to ensure output during shortages. Coal currently accounts for about 75% of India's electricity, with renewables at 22%, gas at 2%, and hydro at 9%.