Over the past year, from August 2024 to July 2025, India's electricity consumption has relied heavily on fossil energy, which accounts for more than half of the total. Specifically, 73% of the electricity was generated by fossil fuels, with coal alone constituting approximately 71%. In contrast, low-carbon electricity sources contribute around 27% of the energy mix. Among these, hydropower leads with about 9%, closely followed by solar at 8% and wind at 5%. Nuclear energy accounts for nearly 3% of India's electricity consumption. Meanwhile, gas and biofuels make up smaller fractions, contributing roughly 3% and 2%, respectively, to the electricity mix. The reliance on fossil fuels, especially coal, continues to overshadow the low-carbon initiatives, thereby posing challenges related to environmental impacts such as air pollution and climate change.
Is Electricity Growing in India?
The recent trend in electricity consumption per person in India has unfortunately seen a decline. As of 2025, the total electricity consumption stands at 1322 kWh per person, showing a decrease of 96 kWh per person compared to last year's record consumption of 1419 kWh per person. On a positive note, low-carbon electricity generation has been on the rise, with the latest figure reaching 352 kWh per person, marking an increase of 33 kWh per person from the previous year. This positive change in low-carbon output represents a growing commitment to clean energy, though it is concerning that overall electricity consumption is down. This decline in total consumption raises concerns about keeping up with future demands, especially as the country continues to electrify its economy and as technologies such as AI necessitate more energy.
Suggestions
To significantly boost low-carbon electricity generation, India can take inspiration from successful global regions. For instance, solar energy projects can be expanded across the country by learning from Lebanon, where solar accounts for 31% of electricity. Furthermore, India could significantly enhance its nuclear capacity as seen in France, where nuclear energy provides a significant share, attributing to 69% of electricity. Expanding wind energy generation can also be inspired by states such as Iowa and South Dakota in the United States, where wind power contributes more than half of the electricity. Strategic investments in these areas can ensure a more balanced and sustainable energy portfolio for India, further curbing reliance on environmentally damaging fossil fuels.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in India showcases a consistent effort to grow its clean energy capacity over the decades. In the late 1990s and through the early 2000s, hydroelectric power saw notable increases in generation, especially in 2006 and 2011, with growth rates of over 12 TWh in those years. The significant rise in solar energy, particularly from 2018 onwards to 2025, reflects India's ongoing dedication to harnessing this abundant clean energy source. Notably, the years 2022 to 2025 saw considerable expansions in both solar and wind power, with solar increasing by similar margins of approximately 20 TWh yearly in 2024 and 2025. Such efforts highlight India's potential to further expand its low-carbon electricity generation through solar and wind, while maintaining and growing its hydroelectric capacity. However, the unpredictable declines in hydro generation, such as the sharp drop in 2023, emphasize the need for diversified clean energy sources, including a stronger focus on solar and nuclear energy.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.