India eyes 2,100 GW capacity to meet soaring energy demand

This includes the 500 GW renewables target.

India fuels its target to be an energy powerhouse as it sets a target of 2,100 gigawatts (GW) of capacity by 2047 to accommodate a projected power demand of 708 GW by the said year.

In line with this, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has launched a National Electricity Plan (Transmission) during a recent event. This details the transmission infrastructure required to support 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, increasing to over 600 GW by 2032.

The plan also integrates elements like 10 GW of offshore wind, 47 GW of battery storage, and 30 GW of pumped storage. Furthermore, it supports green hydrogen and ammonia production hubs and includes cross-border interconnections.

“With a planned addition of 190,000 circuit kilometres of transmission lines and 1,270 GPA of transformation capacity over the next decade, the plan presents an investment opportunity of over 9 lakh crore rupees in the transmission sector,” the Ministry of Power said.

Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal said India is looking into pump storage facilities and battery storage to address grid integration challenges as it expands its energy capacity. 

Specifically on energy transition, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said that “significant investment will be needed in renewable technologies, energy storage solutions and grid modernisation.”

Pankaj Agarwal, secretary of the Ministry of Power also noted the need for a framework to meet demand and for more flexible power purchase agreements to reduce power costs for consumers.