India’s Transition to Power Sufficiency by 2025
India has made strides to become a power-sufficient nation by 2025. The Union Minister of Power, Shripad Naik, announced that the country has added 238 gigawatts (GW) in generation capacity since 2014. This achievement has drastically reduced the gap between energy demand and supply. The installed capacity has risen to 470 GW, with a remarkable increase in renewable energy contributions.
Power Generation Capacity Expansion
Since April 2014, India’s power generation capacity has expanded by 238 GW. This growth includes a vast network of 2,01,088 circuit kilometres of transmission lines. The total energy produced has reached 15,46,229 million units (MU) in 2024-25. Thermal energy remains the primary source but renewable energy is on the rise.
Renewable Energy Contributions
Renewable sources accounted for 2,30,868 MU of energy production. Wind energy contributed 78,214 MU while solar energy accounted for 1,27,339 MU. Despite the growth, thermal fuels still dominate the energy landscape. Renewable energy’s share has gradually increased from 11.5% in 2021-22 to 13.78% in 2024-25.
National Power Grid and Transmission
India’s power is transmitted through five regional grids. The national grid was fully established in 2013. The Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd manages this grid. It carries 45% of India’s transmission capacity. The grid facilitates inter-state power flow and integrates renewable energy sources efficiently.
Regional Power Gaps and Achievements
Different regions have shown varied success in bridging power gaps. The North region reduced its gap from 1% to 0.2% over three years. States like Uttar Pradesh and Jammu-Kashmir have made notable improvements. Meanwhile, the South and West regions maintain minimal gaps, with Tamil Nadu and Gujarat achieving a 0% energy gap.
Future Plans and Investments
To meet future energy demands, India plans to boost its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. This requires substantial investment in the transmission sector, estimated at ₹9.15 lakh crore. New interstate transmission networks are under construction to support renewable energy evacuation.
Challenges
Despite advancements, some states like Bihar and Jharkhand struggle to meet power demands. The North East region has shown fluctuating energy gaps. Continuous efforts are needed to enhance renewable energy production in underperforming states.
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