Vedanta Resources CEO: India Should Not Give Up on Coal as It Remains the Most Reliable Fuel

In a significant statement reflecting the complexities of India’s energy landscape, the CEO of Vedanta Resources emphasized that coal remains the most reliable source of energy for India and that the country should not abandon it despite the global push toward renewables. This pragmatic stance highlights the balancing act India faces between achieving energy security and transitioning to cleaner fuel sources.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Vedanta’s CEO pointed out that while the global energy transition focuses on renewables, coal remains indispensable for India’s vast and growing energy demands, particularly given its role in baseload power generation.

 

India currently derives nearly half of its installed power capacity—about 443 GW—from coal, underscoring its foundational role in meeting energy consumption for a population exceeding 1.4 billion.

 

The CEO emphasized that despite environmental concerns, India’s rapid industrialization and urbanization necessitate dependable, scalable, and cost-effective energy, which coal currently provides more effectively than intermittent sources like solar and wind.

 

Vedanta, a major player in coal mining and thermal power generation, is investing in sustainable mining practices and advanced emission control technologies to minimize coal’s environmental footprint.

 

The company is simultaneously expanding its renewable energy portfolio, aiming to increase renewable capacity and reduce reliance on coal over the longer term but underscored coal’s crucial role in the near to medium term.

 

Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary, plans to boost renewable energy use to 30% by 2030 from around 5% currently, acquiring 1.3 GW of renewable power through partnerships, showing the group's balanced approach.

 

The CEO acknowledged India’s government strategy involving the addition of 80 GW of coal-based thermal power capacity by 2031-32 to reliably meet peak and base load demands.

 

Highlighting the importance of technology, Vedanta invests in carbon capture and storage innovations, cleaner coal technologies, and higher operational efficiencies to align with climate goals without compromising energy security.

 

Vedanta’s coal mines have received high sustainability ratings, reflecting the company’s commitment to responsible resource management and socio-economic development through mining.

 

Implications for India’s Energy Strategy:

 

The remarks come amid India’s ambitious non-fossil fuel capacity targets alongside the reality that coal will continue to power a large share of India’s economy in the foreseeable future. The emphasis on not abandoning coal signals recognition of current infrastructure, grid stability, and economic growth priorities.

 

Vedanta’s pragmatic approach resonates with the Indian government’s balanced energy roadmap, which integrates coal with renewables to ensure affordable, reliable, and continuous power supply critical for industrial growth and social progress.

 

By integrating coal’s reliability with increasing renewable capacity and investing in cleaner coal technologies, Vedanta’s strategy exemplifies a transitional model for emerging economies striving for sustainable yet realistic energy solutions.

 

In summary, Vedanta Resources’ CEO underscores coal’s ongoing importance to India’s development journey, advocating for a considered and technologically advanced use of coal alongside renewable energy advancements, aimed at securing India’s energy future.

 

Sources: Vedanta Resources official communications, Reuters, Economic Times, Indian Express, EQ MagPro (September 2025)