Electricity in India in 2023/2024

From August 2023 to July 2024, electricity consumption in India has been dominated by fossil energy, with coal accounting for more than 70% of total electricity generation, specifically 73.29%, and together with gas at 2.98%, fossil fuels constitute 76.62% of the energy mix. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources make up 23.38% of this mix, with hydropower contributing 7.49%, solar 6.57%, wind 4.81%, nuclear 2.57%, and biofuels 1.93%. The dependency on coal is particularly significant, while the collective share of cleaner, low-carbon energy sources remains below one-fourth of the total electricity production.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, India could draw valuable lessons from countries that have successfully integrated various cleaner energy sources into their grids. For example, France and Slovakia have leveraged nuclear energy for over 60% of their electricity, showcasing the potential of this reliable and low-carbon source. Similarly, Denmark excels in wind energy, generating 61% of its electricity from wind turbines. Uruguay's effort in wind energy, accounting for 36% of its electricity production, also provides a model for harnessing wind power. By focusing on expanding solar, wind, and nuclear capacities, India can emulate these successful strategies and diversify its energy mix, moving towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity generation framework.

History

Looking back at India's history of low-carbon electricity development, significant strides have been made over various decades. In the late 1980s, hydropower saw a notable increase, with 10.4 TWh added in 1988. The late 1990s and early 2000s continued this trend, marked by significant increments such as 13.4 TWh in 1998 and 17.4 TWh in 2005. However, 2012 showed a significant decline in hydropower by -15.9 TWh, although the following year, 2013 saw an impressive recovery with an addition of 22 TWh. Solar energy has also seen remarkable growth, especially from 2017 onwards, with notable increases in 2018 (14.8 TWh), 2022 (26.9 TWh), and the first half of 2023 (18.3 TWh). Wind energy also contributed significantly with 12.1 TWh added in 2023. Despite recent challenges, such as a decline in hydroelectricity by -25.8 TWh in 2023, India's progress in developing its solar and wind sectors reflects promising potential for an increased share of low-carbon electricity in the future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources