Asia Pacific

Energy system of India

Energy demand in India is growing rapidly with major implications for the global energy market. The Government of India has made remarkable progress in providing access to electricity and clean cooking while implementing a range of energy market reforms and integrating a high share of renewable energy sources into the grid. India, with a population of 1.36 billion and a fast growing economy, has seen its energy demand increasing rapidly as the country continues to urbanize and the manufacturing sector develops. This growing demand is met through various energy sources, with coal set to remain the largest source of energy supply. India also continues to develop the institutional framework needed to attract the investment required to satisfy this growing energy need.

Electricity security has improved through the creation of one national power system and major investments in clean energy. India is now working on integrating higher shares of variable renewable energy into the energy mix. For the period 2016-2018, the share of solar PV and wind doubled in the electricity generation mix from 4% to 8%. Energy efficiency increases have enabled the avoidance of an additional 15% of energy demand and 300 MtCO2 emissions over the period 2000-2018.

India has also been prioritizing access to electricity and clean cooking. Progress in both have been remarkable: 700 million people gained access to electricity since 2000, and 80 million new LPG connections for clean cooking were created. The Government of India is continuing to focus on providing secure, affordable and sustainable energy, while achieving its ambitious renewable energy targets and reducing local air pollution.