India solar capacity to reach 1.1 TW by 2047
A new outlook report projects India's total power capacity will quadruple to over 2 terawatts by 2047, with solar energy alone surpassing 1.1 terawatts.
India's installed power generation capacity is projected to exceed 2 terawatts by 2047. That is nearly four times its current level. Solar power is expected to surge from 119 gigawatts to more than 1.1 terawatts. This comes from the Energy & Climate Initiatives Society (ENCIS) Outlook Report.
The report, titled India’s Power & Energy Transformation Outlook, was launched at the Bharat Electricity 2026 event in New Delhi. This three-day gathering brought together over 15,000 professionals, 250 exhibitors, and 150 global thought leaders from 40 countries.
Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, chairperson of the event's Governing Council, framed the challenge. He argued the next phase will be judged on building a system that is reliable, affordable, flexible, and secure.
Current Energy Mix and Future Demand
Non-fossil fuel sources already constitute 53% of India's 540-gigawatt installed power capacity. This achievement comes five years ahead of schedule. Peak electricity demand has nearly tripled since 2000.
It is forecast to reach 366 gigawatts by 2032. That's a 34% increase. This surge is driven by new loads from data centres, electric mobility, and green hydrogen production.
Ghanshyam Prasad, chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), acknowledged the sector's phenomenal growth. He emphasized that the real challenge is no longer only adding megawatts. Our real challenge now is to build a grid and market architecture that can integrate renewables, storage, and new technologies at scale, Prasad stated.
The Critical Need for Storage and Grid Reform
The report highlights a pressing need. It involves reaching 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 while maintaining system reliability. To achieve this, grid-scale storage capacity must grow approximately fortyfold. It must reach 200 gigawatt-hours by the same deadline.
Nationwide smart-meter deployment is projected to reach 250 million units by the 2028 fiscal year. This expansion could enable real-time management of up to 90% of consumer demand. It may also help bring average Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses below 10% nationally.
Despite digital reforms reducing AT&C losses, the distribution segment remains a critical bottleneck. The report estimates that 44 gigawatts of renewable-energy projects are currently held up. This is due to contractual or financing-related uncertainty.
Investment, Jobs, and the Role of Conventional Power
The scale of the transition demands significant resources. The report estimates India’s power sector will require around $0.5 trillion in investment by 2030. Also, more than one million additional skilled workers will be needed. They will support the digitalisation and clean-energy transition.
Coal-based generation will continue to play a role in maintaining grid stability. The report states plants will need to operate at a minimum technical load of 40%. They must also achieve ramp rates of 3% by 2030.
State-level ministers highlighted regional perspectives. Ashish Sood, a minister for the Delhi government, pointed to urban management lessons. Shailesh Kumar, Bihar's Energy Minister, expressed readiness to partner with industry and international investors. He offered land and policy support.
Major sponsors at the event included Adani, NTPC, Tata Power, ReNew, and Schneider Electric.
