PANAJI
India’s power demand will grow at over 4% annually till 2050, Union Minister Shripad Naik informed the Lok Sabha. Citing the World Energy Outlook 2024 by the International Energy Agency (IEA), he stated that India will experience the highest energy demand growth globally over the next decade. By 2030, the country is expected to have the world’s third-largest installed battery storage capacity, supporting renewable energy expansion.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) conducts an Electric Power Survey (EPS) every five years to project electricity demand across states and major cities. The 20th EPS report, published in 2022, provides forecasts up to 2041-42. India currently has a sufficient electricity supply with an installed capacity of 470 GW, having added 238 GW since 2014.
To further boost power generation, the government has planned 80,000 MW of new coal-based capacity by 2031-32, with 9,350 MW already operational and 29,900 MW under construction. Additionally, 13,997 MW of hydropower projects are underway, with another 24,225.5 MW in planning. In nuclear energy, 7,300 MW is under construction and 7,000 MW in planning, set for completion by 2029-30. Renewable energy is also expanding, with 153,920 MW under implementation and 70,210 MW in planning.
The national grid has been strengthened, with 201,088 circuit kilometers of transmission lines added since 2014, increasing inter-regional capacity by 82,790 MW. Other measures include ensuring coal and gas supply for power plants, optimizing hydropower usage, and maintaining efficient electricity trading through platforms like IEX and PXIL. These initiatives aim to secure India’s energy future amid rising demand.
