In 2024, India's electricity consumption data reveals a strong reliance on fossil fuels, with more than three-quarters of electricity generated from these sources, predominantly coal. However, clean energy is making notable inroads, accounting for almost a quarter of total electricity. Hydropower, solar, and wind are key contributors, with hydropower taking the lead among low-carbon options at approximately 8%, followed closely by solar at close to 7% and wind just below 4%. Despite the smaller contributions from other clean sources like nuclear and biofuels, these numbers represent significant strides towards sustainable electricity generation in India. It is crucial to further this progress to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with high fossil fuel dependency.
Is Electricity Growing in India?
Electricity consumption in India is on the rise, with the latest levels reaching 1419 kWh/person, up from the previous record of 1362 kWh/person in 2023. This marks a positive change of 57 kWh/person, reflecting an encouraging trend in meeting the power needs of India's growing population and economy. The momentum extends to low-carbon energy as well, with per capita generation increasing from 299 kWh to 319 kWh over the same period. This 20 kWh/person improvement indicates that India is successfully ramping up its sustainable energy efforts, though the pace must be accelerated to achieve broader climate and economic goals.
Suggestions
To further boost India's low-carbon electricity generation, India can glean insights from regions excelling in solar and nuclear energy. Lebanon and Chile demonstrate remarkable solar generation success, with Lebanon generating 31% of its electricity through solar, showcasing the immense potential for solar expansion in sunny climates like India. Meanwhile, countries rich in nuclear power like France and Slovakia, each with more than half of their electricity supplied by nuclear, illustrate the viability and benefits of embracing nuclear power. By strategically increasing investments in these clean technologies, India can significantly amplify its low-carbon energy output, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing energy security.
History
Historically, India's low-carbon electricity generation has seen fluctuations, with hydropower experiencing a series of boosts, particularly in the 1980s and early 2000s, along with some declines like the significant drop in 2012 and 2023. Solar energy, on the other hand, has shown a consistent upward trajectory since 2017, with substantial additions year after year, notably peaking with an increase of over 20 TWh in 2024. Wind energy made notable gains in 2023, contributing another dimension to India's green energy portfolio. However, the overall mix has encountered challenges, and it's imperative for India to continue its focus on diversifying and scaling up its low-carbon infrastructure, notably by investing further in the most scalable and efficient technologies like solar and nuclear.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.