Over the past year, from May 2024 to April 2025, India's electricity consumption has leaned heavily on fossil fuels. More than three-quarters of the country's electricity came from fossil sources, primarily coal, which alone accounted for an overwhelming 72%. Natural gas, though much smaller, contributed almost 3% to the fossil tally. On the cleaner side of the equation, low-carbon energy made up about a quarter of electricity production. While hydropower comprised just over 8%, solar and wind contributed almost 8% and nearly 5%, respectively. Nuclear energy, responsible for less than 3% of electricity generation, along with biofuels, rounded off India’s low-carbon energy production picture.
Is Electricity Growing in India?
In recent years, the trend in India's electricity consumption has been concerning, displaying a decrease. From a high of 1419 kWh per person in 2024, the figure dropped to 1355 kWh in 2025. This reduction reflects a regression in overall electricity consumption. Despite this overall decline, there is a silver lining with low-carbon electricity. The latest output for low-carbon energy grew to 338 kWh per person, up from the previous record of 319 kWh. This uptick signals progress, but the ongoing decline in total electricity remains a challenge that suggests a pressing need for growth, especially in sustainable sectors.
Suggestions
For India to enhance low-carbon electricity generation, leveraging global examples can be instrumental. In the realm of wind power, regions like Iowa and South Dakota, generating over 60% of their electricity from wind, serve as exemplary models. For solar energy, countries such as Lebanon and Greece, contributing around 30% and 25% respectively, highlight the potential of solar investments. Nuclear energy remains a robust pillar of low-carbon generation, as evidenced by France's impressive 69% from nuclear sources. India should look to adapt and scale these practices, emphasizing solar and nuclear technologies to transition to cleaner, more sustainable electricity production.
History
Reflecting on India's historical progress in low-carbon electricity, distinct phases of growth emerge. In the late 1980s and the decade following, hydropower saw substantial increases, particularly in years like 1988 and 1998 with notable rises of more than 10 TWh each. The early 2000s continued this hydropower trend with rises in 2003, 2005, and subsequent years. A new chapter began in 2018, as solar power witnessed significant growth, with annual additions becoming a regular occurrence. The year 2023 was remarkable for solar and wind, adding more than 18 and 12 TWh, respectively. However, the inconsistent nature of hydropower, exemplified by the 2023 decline, underscores the import of diversifying with stable options like solar and nuclear to ensure continued low-carbon advancement.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.