India needs to better integrate its rapidly expanding renewable energy sector with its coal-based power fleet to achieve a smooth and cost-effective energy transition, according to a new study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
The study, Flex to Fix: Deciphering India’s Coal Flexibilization Challenge for RE Integration, finds that making coal-fired power plants more flexible could create an additional 18–34 GW of space for renewable energy on the grid and reduce power-sector emissions by an estimated 7.66–8.37%, equivalent to around 92–101 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
CSE Director General Sunita Narain said India’s challenge is not simply to choose between coal and renewables, but to integrate the two while gradually reducing coal dependence.
Greater flexibility in the existing coal fleet could help balance fluctuations in solar and wind generation and improve grid stability.
India reached 50% non-fossil-based installed power capacity in 2025, five years ahead of its original 2030 target.
