Electricity sector in India

Electricity Sector in India

The electricity sector in India is one of the most diversified in the world. Sources of power generation range from conventional sources such as coal, lignite, natural gas, oil, hydro, and nuclear power to viable non-conventional sources such as wind, solar, and agricultural and domestic waste. Electricity demand in the country has increased rapidly and is expected to rise further in the years to come. In order to meet the increasing demand for electricity in the country, massive addition to the installed generating capacity is required.

History

The history of electricity in India dates back to the late 19th century. The first demonstration of electric light in Calcutta was conducted on 24 July 1879 by P.W. Fleury & Co. The first electric street light in Asia was lit on 5 August 1905 in Bangalore.

Current Status

India is the third-largest producer and the third-largest consumer of electricity in the world. The national electric grid in India has an installed capacity of 404.13 GW as of 31 August 2023. Renewable power plants, which also include large hydroelectric plants, constitute 39.2% of India's total installed capacity.

Generation

India's electricity generation is mainly from thermal power plants, which account for about 62% of the total installed capacity. The country also has a significant amount of hydroelectric power and nuclear power generation.

Renewable Energy

India has made significant strides in the field of renewable energy. The country is one of the world's largest producers of solar power and wind power. The government has set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix.

Challenges

The electricity sector in India faces several challenges, including:

• High transmission and distribution losses
• Inadequate grid infrastructure
• Financial health of distribution companies
• Dependence on coal

Government Initiatives

The Government of India has launched several initiatives to improve the electricity sector, including:

• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana
• Integrated Power Development Scheme
• Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY)

Future Prospects

India's electricity demand is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The government aims to achieve 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The focus is also on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

See Also

• Energy policy of India
• List of power stations in India
• Electricity sector in China

References

• Ministry of Power, Government of India
• Central Electricity Authority
• International Energy Agency