In order to maintain fossil fuel capacity higher for years and potentially block efforts to meet climate objectives, India’s government is looking into a gradual retirement of ageing coal-fired power facilities while simultaneously adding additional sites.

According to persons familiar with the situation, officials are exploring a plan to shut down less than 5 gigawatts of current capacity by the end of the decade as the country struggles with rising electricity demand and a worldwide energy deficit. In contrast, plans created in 2020 called for the closure of around 25 gigawatts by the same time.

Emails and texts requesting response from the power ministry and the environment ministry went unanswered.