India needs to scale up non-fossil fuel capacity to 600 GW by 2030
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2025, 12:01:00 AM IST
In October-November period, when the unmet demand will likely be high, and in the high-demand months of March to June, almost all the available coal capacity will be despatched, leaving little margin to manage uncertainties, the report said.
NEW DELHI: India needs to scale up its non-fossil fuel capacity to 600 GW by 2030 to meet its growing electricity demand reliably and affordably, according to a report from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water ( CEEW ). As per the report, deploying 600 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 will help create an additional reserve margin to manage unexpected surges in demand.
In October-November period, when the unmet demand will likely be high, and in the high-demand months of March to June, almost all the available coal capacity will be despatched, leaving little margin to manage uncertainties, the report said.
The report found that if India's electricity demand grows as per the Central Electricity Authority 's (CEA) projections, the existing, under-construction and planned generation capacities would be adequate to meet power needs in 2030.
However, if power demand were to continue to outpace current projections due to a warming planet or strong economic growth over the coming five years, a high renewable energy pathway of 600 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 will be the most viable solution, mainly due to cost.
The projection includes 377 GW of solar, 148 GW of wind, 62 GW of hydro and 20 GW of nuclear energy.
The views of the research organisation come in the wake of the country's power demand reaching a record 238 GW in February 2025 with peak demand expected to touch 260 GW in the summer months, surpassing projections due to unusually warm weather.
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