In India, from June 2025 to May 2026, electricity consumption was heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than two-thirds of it coming from such sources. Coal alone accounted for nearly 68% of the electricity generated, which highlights the country's dependency on this form of energy. Despite this, low-carbon energy sources made up a notable contribution of almost a third of the electricity generated over this period. Solar power was a major player among low-carbon sources, contributing close to 9.5%, closely followed by hydropower at nearly 9%. Wind power generated over 6% of the electricity, while nuclear energy contributed a modest 2.6%, marking its presence as a stable and reliable clean energy source. Other low-carbon sources such as biofuels and gas were responsible for around 2% each.

Is Electricity Growing in India?

The positive aspect of India's electricity landscape is an increase in overall consumption, standing at 1381 kWh per person in 2026, surpassing the previous year's record of 1353 kWh per person. This increment is a testament to the country's growing demand for electricity. Notably, low-carbon electricity generation witnessed similar growth, rising to 400 kWh per person from the previous high of 378 kWh per person in 2025. This increase, though modest, demonstrates India's progressive movement toward clean energy, reflecting an optimistic trajectory that can and should be further accelerated to meet the needs of its burgeoning population and economy, along with demand-modifying technologies like electric vehicles and AI.

Suggestions

To further expand low-carbon electricity generation, India can look towards exemplars in both solar and nuclear power. Inspired by regions such as California and Lebanon, where solar energy comprises around 31% of their electricity mix, India could harness its abundant sunlight to increase solar generation significantly. Simultaneously, India could bolster its nuclear capacity by drawing lessons from nuclear energy leaders like France, Slovakia, and Ukraine, which have achieved over 50% of their electricity from nuclear energy. Strong governmental support, investments in modern nuclear technology, and streamlined processes for solar installations could immensely bolster India’s clean energy landscape, amplifying the benefits of reducing fossil fuel reliance and improving air quality and climate conditions nationwide.

History

Reflecting on the historical trends of low-carbon electricity in India, pivotal growth has often been observed in solar and hydropower. In the last decade, India has seen substantial surges in solar capacity, notably in 2018, 2022, 2024, and 2025. Hydropower also had significant years of growth, particularly in 2005 and 2013, though it showed a substantial decline in 2023. The government’s focus on modernizing and increasing the capacity of these sectors underscores the crucial role they will play. However, there has not been a corresponding growth in nuclear energy, indicating a potential avenue for development. By prioritizing investments and streamlining regulatory frameworks for nuclear and solar projects, India can better secure a sustainable electricity future and accelerate its transition to a predominantly low-carbon electric grid.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jun 2025 – May 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.