In the period from July 2024 to June 2025, India's electricity consumption was dominated by fossil fuels, with nearly three-quarters of the country's electricity generated from these sources. Specifically, coal accounted for more than 70% of the total, while gas contributed close to 3%. Low-carbon energy comprised the remaining share, contributing almost 26% to India's electricity mix. Among the low-carbon electricity sources, hydropower was the leading contributor at over 8%, followed by solar at nearly 8% and wind at just over 5%. Nuclear energy and biofuels formed a smaller portion, each contributing close to 3% and 2% respectively. This emphasis on fossil fuels highlights the significant opportunity India has to further transition towards sustainable and clean energy options.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in India?
The trajectory of India's electricity consumption appears to be facing some stagnation. In 2025, the country's per capita electricity consumption stood at 1,347 kWh, which is a slight decline from the previous year's record of 1,351 kWh per person. In contrast, the generation of low-carbon electricity per person experienced growth, reaching 349 kWh, an increase of 26 kWh from the previous year's record of 322 kWh per person. These figures point to a scenario where low-carbon electricity is indeed on an upward trend, but the overall electricity consumption per capita has seen a mild decrease. While the increased low-carbon generation is promising, the overall stagnation in electricity consumption per capita poses challenges for India as it aims for modernization and growth in industries like electrification and AI.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, India can look towards successful regions for inspiration. Countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy makes up around 70% and 66% respectively of their electricity generation, demonstrate the potential for nuclear power to be a reliable, clean source of energy. Moreover, regions like Nevada in the United States, which generates 33% of its electricity from solar power, highlight the potential for expanding solar electricity generation in sunny regions in India. Wind energy can also serve as an important pillar in India's clean energy strategy, with states like Iowa and Denmark generating around 60% of their electricity from wind. By learning from these regions, India can substantially increase the share of both solar and nuclear energies and secure a sustainable future in electricity generation.
History
Reflecting on India's historical journey in low-carbon electricity generation, there has been significant growth, particularly in hydro and solar technologies. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw substantial increases in hydropower generation, with notable surges in 1994, 2005, and 2011, seeing increases of 12 to 17 TWh. However, a downturn occurred in 2012, where hydropower dropped by around 16 TWh, and again in 2023 with a decline of 25.5 TWh. Solar energy has experienced consistent growth since its major assist in 2018, with remarkable increases such as the 27.2 TWh in 2022. Wind energy also saw sensible contribution hikes, particularly in 2016 and 2023, both gaining over 13 TWh. While fluctuations in these growth patterns reflect some unpredictability, the overall trajectory remains positive, particularly with solar energy's consistent expansion. Promoting continuous investment in these sectors, particularly solar, along with advocating for nuclear energy's vast potential, remains crucial to India's sustainable energy future.
