Minister of State for Power, Shripad Yesso Naik, confirmed that India can achieve uninterrupted power supply by 2025 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We can do it. In 2025, we will be almost there to have 24X7 power for all in the country," Naik told. The government has pledged to support this expansive growth plan to ensure electricity access for all citizens.

Peak power demand is expected to hit 270 GW during the summer of 2025, surpassing the 250 GW peak recorded in May 2024. By 2035, demand is projected to rise to 446 GW. In response, the government plans to add around 80 GW of power generation capacity by 2031-32, including 14 GW from hydroelectric projects and 6,050 MW from Pumped Storage Projects (PSP). Additionally, the government is working on adding 300 GW of renewable energy to its portfolio, targeting a total of 500 GW from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

A substantial 9.16 trillion rupees investment in transmission infrastructure is also underway to evacuate electricity from new generation plants. These efforts aim to enhance the grid's efficiency and resilience, which will be essential as power demand surges.

Anil Sardana, Chairman of the CII National Power Committee, emphasized that the sector's progress in renewable energy integration, grid modernization, and carbon reduction will enable India to meet both domestic and global energy demands. He highlighted that the expansion of transmission infrastructure would unlock new possibilities for power distribution, contributing to economic growth.

According to ICRA's Vikram V, the renewable energy sector saw healthy growth in 2024, with 25 GW added in the first 11 months. However, challenges such as delays in power purchase agreements and execution issues like land acquisition and transmission connectivity remain significant concerns.

While renewable energy is a priority, coal-based power continues to dominate India's electricity generation mix. New coal-fired projects totaling 27 GW are expected to come online by 2032 to meet rising demand. Meanwhile, experts like Salil Gupta from PHDCCI urge regulatory reforms to reduce financial stress on power trading companies and encourage more investment in renewable energy projects.

India's power sector faces challenges in balancing energy supply and demand, but with continued investments and policy adjustments, the nation is on course to achieve its goal of 24x7 power availability by 2025.