New Delhi, April 30 -- The Centre plans to add 100 GW of coal-fuelled power in the next seven years, revising its previous target of 80 GW given India's soaring electricity demand and rising coal production, two people aware of the matter said. The additional capacity plan will entail an extra investment of Rs.1 trillion, since every 1 MW of power costs Rs.5 crore on average.

Despite the boom in solar and wind power, electricity from thermal and hydro projects remains critical. Every electricity grid must have a minimum, constant level of power demand called base load, which is typically supplied by coal and hydro projects given their stable output.

"Now, the government is looking at the possibility of adding over 100 GW of thermal capa...