India's power demand is projected to rise to 708 gigawatts by 2047, which will require a fourfold increase in the current capacity to 2,100 gigawatts, according to Union Power Minister Manohar Lal during the Brainstorming Session on the Indian Power Sector Scenario 2047 held in New Delhi. The minister explained that meeting this demand entails a complete transformation of the energy landscape.
The two-day conclave, organized by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in partnership with FICCI, CBIP, and other stakeholders, aimed to outline India’s strategy to address its growing energy needs while transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The minister emphasized that this initiative goes beyond merely increasing capacity and involves reimagining the entire energy landscape.
A significant aspect of the government’s strategy is its focus on renewable energy. The minister mentioned that an ambitious target has been set for 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, effectively doubling the current capacity. This goal aligns with India's commitment to reducing carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
During the event, the CEA introduced the National Electricity Plan, which details the necessary transmission infrastructure to support 500 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, increasing to over 600 gigawatts by 2032. This plan involves considerable investment in advanced technologies, including the integration of 10 gigawatts of offshore wind farms, 47 gigawatts of battery energy storage, and 30 gigawatts of pumped storage plants. The minister also highlighted the government's efforts to secure ?9 lakh crore in investments for the transmission sector.
Minister of State for Power, Shripad Yesso Naik, stressed the importance of future planning. He indicated that significant investments would be required in renewable technologies, energy storage solutions, and grid modernization. Naik called for a swift transition toward a diverse and cleaner energy mix to meet sustainability targets.
Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, underscored India’s crucial role in the global clean energy movement. He noted that G20 members have committed to tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency. Agarwal added that the vision of One Sun, One World, One Grid will be central to India’s strategy moving forward.
