India to Rely More on Coal as LNG Disruptions Limit Gas-Fired Support

India is set to rely more heavily on coal to meet the country's energy demands, particularly during the upcoming summer months. This shift is a direct response to recent LNG supply disruptions linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has considerably impacted gas imports from major producers.

As of early March 2026, the Indian government reported that no bids have been submitted for the 12,000 megawatt-hour gas-based power tender, prompting officials to reconsider how they will sustain power generation during peak demand periods in April to June. Consequently, the government has begun to ramp up coal production, seeking to revive power plants that would otherwise remain offline during the high-demand season.

India's Coal Ministry has assured that the country has sufficient coal stock, with approximately 210 million metric tons currently available, enough to support power generation for about 88 days if necessary. This reserves the capacity to meet peak demand, which could rise to around 250–260 gigawatts this summer.

The country's top utility, NTPC, already expressed its inability to provide gas-fired power, further highlighting the need to switch back to coal. Reports indicate that coal power accounts for nearly 75% of India's energy generation, which will serve as a critical fallback as gas supplies dwindle.

The disruptions in LNG supplies are substantial, particularly with Qatar's Petronet LNG implementing force majeure notices, and coal-fired power generation is now expected to ramp up to offset the impact. As this crisis unfolds, experts predict that despite the immediate reliance on coal, India must continue to develop sustainable and renewable energy sources to secure its energy future and meet climate goals.

The challenges posed by constrained gas supplies underscore a complicated energy landscape as the nation navigates its dependence on both domestic and imported energy resources amid global volatility.