In 72 percent of the new energy capacity under construction, it is renewable, signing a decisive change in the energy strategy of India. | Photo credit: Periasamy M
The latest government data presented to Rajya Sabha in March 2025 reveal that the country’s energy deficit has collapsed only 0.1 percent in 2024-25 (until February 2025), the lowest in recent history, as the demand for energy has increased abruptly. Simultaneously, around 72 percent of the new power in construction is renewable, indicating a decisive change in the energy strategy of India.
In 2021-22, India’s energy requirement was 13,79,812 MU, with 5,787 mu without satisfaction (a deficit of 0.4 percent). The demand constantly increased, reaching its maximum point by 16,26,132 MU in 2023-24. Despite this growth, the energy deficit reduced year after year of 0.5 percent in 2022-23 to 0.3 percent in 2023-24, and finally only 1,555 MU (or 0.1 percent) in the current fiscal year.
Provides renewable energy
Of the 2,13,117.5 megawatts (MW) or the energy capacity currently under construction, 1,53,920 MW (72.5 percent) comes from renewable sources.
While renewable energies dominate, thermal energy projects contribute to 29,900 MW (13.8 percent) to construction capacity. Despite a participation in decline, the term remains crucial to provide base load stability, especially as variable renewable sources such as the expansion of solar energy and wind.
The energy strategy of India is characterized by a diversified mixture with hydroelectric projects or 13,997.5 MW (6.5 percent), which offers renewable base energy. Pumped storage or 8,000 MW (3.7 percent), vital to administer the intermittent renewable supply due to excess energy failure. Nuclear energy, objectives of 7,300 MW (3.4 percent) that provide zero carbon stable base carbon capacity.
New proposals
In November 2023, the Government of India had proposed to establish an additional coal capacity of 80,000 MW for 2031-32. Against this objective, the coal-based capacity of 9,350 MW has already been commissioned in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Contracts have been granted for 22,640 MW of thermal capacity in fiscal year 24-25. In addition, 33,580 MW of coal and lignite candidate capacity that is in several stages of planning in the country have been identified.
Both axis 24,225.5.5 MW of hydroelectric projects and 50,760 MW or pumped storage projects are under various planning stages and are aimed at completing by 2031-32. 7,000 MW of nuclear capacity are under several stages of planning and approval.
70.210 MW or renewable capacity that includes 46,670 MW of solar energy, 600 MW of wind and 22,940 MW Hybrid energy is in several stages of planning and is aimed at completing by 2029-30-30
Proper availability
According to the government, there is proper availability of power in the country. The country’s current installed generation capacity is 466 GW and the government has addressed the critical issue of energy deficiency by adding 234 GW of generation capacity since April 2014, transforming the country of energy deficit to sufficient power.
Since 2014, 2,01,088 circuit kilo (km) or transmission lines, 7,78,017 MVA or transformation capacity and 82,790 MW of interregional capacity.
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Posted on May 12, 2025