In 2025, the electricity sector in India demonstrates a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, yet there is a notable presence of low-carbon sources. Fossil energy accounts for over 72% of electricity, with coal as the dominant player making up around 69%. Meanwhile, low-carbon electricity sources contribute nearly 28% to the overall electricity matrix, a crucial segment aiming to provide solutions for climate change and pollution from fossil fuels. Hydropower leads the low-carbon pack with about 9%, followed closely by solar at a similar level, and wind energy contributing nearly 6%. Nuclear and biofuels jointly add approximately 5%, marking significant areas for future growth.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in India?
Electricity consumption in India has seen incremental growth over recent years. The latest consumption per capita is recorded at 1355 kWh, slightly higher than the previous year's record of 1351 kWh. This marks a modest increase, indicating a demand for more electricity to cater to the growing population and technological advancements. Interestingly, low-carbon electricity consumption has experienced a more substantial boost, from 322 kWh to 376 kWh per person between 2024 and 2025. This illustrates a commendable shift toward cleaner electricity sources, assuming India's electricity needs move towards sustainability.
Suggestions
For India to significantly bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, exploring strategies from successful regions is critical. With nuclear energy playing a massive role in regions like France and Slovakia, where it accounts for over 60% of electricity, India can learn valuable lessons in deploying and scaling nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, India's climate enhances its potential to mirror solar success stories like those seen in Nevada and California, where solar generation reaches into the 30% range. Wind energy exploitation can be guided by examples from Denmark and Iowa, which derive a significant portion of their electricity from wind. Prioritizing such clean energy advancements can support India's strong shift away from fossil fuels, adding resilience and sustainability to its electricity supply.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in India paints a picture of evolving dynamics over the decades. From the mid-2000s onwards, hydropower saw varied growth, experiencing both spikes and drops, particularly with a notable decrease in 2023. In parallel, solar and wind have steadily grown, especially prominently in recent years with substantial increases in output—solar, for instance, jumped nearly 27 TWh in 2022 alone. The year 2025 witnessed impressive strides with solar and wind growing by over 31 and 25 TWh respectively, demonstrating India's commitment to enhancing its clean electricity framework. This robust growth in solar and wind underscores the potential and necessity for sustained investment in these areas, accompanied by the strategic expansion of nuclear power for a balanced and sustainable electricity future.
