From July 2024 to June 2025, India relied heavily on fossil fuels for its electricity consumption, with nearly three-quarters, specifically 74% of electricity being generated from fossil sources such as coal and gas. Coal alone was responsible for just over 71% of the total electricity. On the brighter side, low-carbon or clean energy sources contributed about 26% of the electricity. Among these, hydropower led the charge with over 8%, followed by solar at nearly 8%, and wind providing over 5%. Despite the presence of nuclear energy, it only accounted for a small share of around 3%, while biofuels contributed close to 2%. This distinguishes clearly that while there is a presence of clean energy, the overwhelming majority still derives from fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in India?
Recently, India's overall electricity consumption witnessed a slight downturn. The latest figure of 1347 kWh per person marks a decrease from the previous record of 1351 kWh per person set in 2024, indicating a slight decline of 4 kWh. This stagnation is worrisome, especially as the world gears up for increased electrification and technological development. However, on a positive note, low-carbon electricity generation displayed a remarkable positive shift by increasing to 349 kWh per person, up by 26 kWh from the previous year's record of 322 kWh. This growth in clean electricity is encouraging and reflects a positive trend amidst otherwise disappointing stagnation in overall consumption.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, India can draw valuable lessons from regions that show exemplary performance in harnessing clean energy. For instance, France and Slovakia's successful use of nuclear energy, contributing to more than two-thirds of their electricity, illustrates the potential of nuclear as a stable and sustainable source for India. On the solar front, regions like Nevada and Lebanon have achieved significant progress with solar energy accounting for over 30% of their electricity. Moreover, India's solar potential could be significantly expanded, following the examples set by California and Chile. A mix of expanding solar panels and investing in nuclear energy infrastructure could redefine India's energy landscape, providing a cleaner, more sustainable electricity source for its growing population.
History
Looking back at India's history with low-carbon energy, significant changes have been noted over the decades. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, hydropower saw periods of growth, particularly in 1994 and 2005 with increases of over 12 TWh and 17 TWh, respectively. The 2010s brought diversity with both wind and solar energy growing rapidly, particularly in 2018 and 2020 with boosts from solar. However, the 2023 hydropower decline of 25.5 TWh was a low point, suggesting fluctuations in its consistency. Fortunately, solar power's upwards trend, with gains notably in 2022 and 2023, highlights a burgeoning era for this clean energy. Continued investments in expanding solar infrastructure promise better energy resilience and sustainability for India.
