In 2025, the electricity consumption in India is predominantly powered by fossil fuels, which account for more than 70% of the total generation, with coal alone contributing nearly 70%. Though fossil fuels dominate, India is making notable strides in adopting low-carbon energy sources, contributing about 28% to the electricity mix. Hydropower, solar, and wind are evenly distributed among this clean energy contribution, each accounting for roughly 6% to 9%. Meanwhile, nuclear energy remains a smaller but important part of the mix, offering close to 3%. Despite the vast dependency on coal and fossil fuels, the commitment to increasing the share of low-carbon sources is evident in India's energy landscape.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in India?
India's electricity consumption shows a modest yet steady growth, increasing from 1348 kWh per person in 2024 to 1352 kWh per person in 2025. While the rise of 4 kWh per person might seem slight, it is a step towards meeting the growing demands of a rapidly urbanizing nation. More promising is the surge in low-carbon electricity generation, which climbed by 52 kWh per person compared to the previous year, emphasizing a stronger focus on clean electricity. As India continually develops, a combination of increased electricity consumption and a larger share of low-carbon generation aligns with sustainability goals and the essential transition away from fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To expand its green energy capacity, India can draw inspiration from regions successfully integrating solar and nuclear energy into their grids. France and Slovakia stand out, with nuclear energy making up around two-thirds of their electricity supply, while North Macedonia leverages solar power for almost half of its needs. Denmark and Iowa showcase wind energy as a sustainable backbone with as much as 60% and close to 60% contributions, respectively. These examples highlight viable pathways for India to advance its low-carbon electricity grid, particularly by investing heavily in both solar and nuclear power, which can significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security.
History
Throughout the past two decades, India's journey with low-carbon electricity has been marked by notable developments. In the mid-2000s, hydropower experienced substantial growth with some fluctuations, while later in the 2010s, solar energy began its ascent with significant increments observed year on year. The early 2020s heralded a substantial expansion of solar power, and by 2025, both solar and wind energy saw remarkable increases in generation. Such a robust trend in solar and wind expansion reflects a forward-looking strategy to harness clean energy's potential. However, India must remain vigilant against any stagnation and continue harnessing the promising gains in solar and nuclear energy to ensure a greener future.
