CHENNAI (Reuters) – Coal’s share in India’s electricity generation rose to the highest level in at least nine quarters during the first three months of 2021, government data showed, reversing a trend of renewable energy gaining at coal’s expense.
The share of renewable energy rose in 2020 when overall power demand was reduced by lockdowns to limit the pandemic.
This year seasonal factors have limited output of renewables, including hydro electricity, which are weather dependent, helping coal’s share to rebound.
The share of coal and lignite rose to 78.9% during the quarter ending March 31, compared with 75.9% in the same period last year, a Reuters analysis of daily load despatch data from the federal grid regulator POSOCO showed.
