Installed power generation capacity in India
India is the world’s third-largest electricity producer, after China and the United States. The country’s installed power generation capacity has grown rapidly in recent years, and is now over 390 gigawatts (GW). This growth has been driven by a number of factors, including rising demand for electricity, government policies to promote renewable energy, and private sector investment.
India’s power sector is made up of a diverse mix of generation technologies, including coal, hydropower, nuclear, solar, and wind. Coal is the dominant fuel, accounting for over 60% of installed capacity. Hydropower is the second-largest source of power, followed by nuclear, solar, and wind.
The growth of India’s power sector has been accompanied by a number of challenges, including environmental pollution, transmission and distribution losses, and financial viability of power plants. The government is working to address these challenges, and is committed to providing reliable and affordable electricity to all Indians.
Key statistics
- Installed power generation capacity: 390 GW (2020)
- Annual electricity generation: 1,300 TWh (2020)
- Per capita electricity consumption: 1,000 kWh (2020)
- Primary energy consumption: 1,000 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) (2020)
- CO2 emissions from energy: 2.5 billion tonnes (2020)
Key trends
- Rapid growth in installed power generation capacity: India’s installed power generation capacity has grown at an average annual rate of 7% since 2000.
- Increasing share of renewable energy: The share of renewable energy in India’s power mix has increased from 10% in 2000 to 20% in 2020.
- Declining share of coal: The share of coal in India’s power mix has declined from 70% in 2000 to 60% in 2020.
- Increasing demand for electricity: India’s demand for electricity is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5% over the next decade.
Challenges
- Environmental pollution: India’s power sector is a major source of air pollution. Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of particulate matter emissions, which are linked to a number of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and cancer.
- Transmission and distribution losses: India’s power sector suffers from high transmission and distribution losses. These losses are estimated to be around 20% of the total electricity generated.
- Financial viability of power plants: A number of India’s power plants are financially unviable. This is due to a number of factors, including low tariffs, high fuel costs, and poor collection of electricity bills.
Government initiatives
The government of India is working to address the challenges facing the power sector. Some of the key initiatives include:
- Promoting renewable energy: The government has set a target of achieving 175 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2022.
- Improving transmission and distribution efficiency: The government is investing in improving the transmission and distribution network.
- Providing financial assistance to power plants: The government is providing financial assistance to power plants that are facing financial difficulties.
Outlook
The outlook for India’s power sector is positive. The government’s initiatives are expected to help address the challenges facing the sector. The growth of renewable energy is expected to continue, and the share of coal in the power mix is expected to decline. Demand for electricity is expected to grow at a healthy pace, and the power sector is expected to play a key role in India’s economic development.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the installed power generation capacity in India?
The installed power generation capacity in India is 390 GW (2020). - What is the annual electricity generation in India?
The annual electricity generation in India is 1,300 TWh (2020). - What is the per capita electricity consumption in India?
The per capita electricity consumption in India is 1,000 kWh (2020). - What is the primary energy consumption in India?
The primary energy consumption in India is 1,000 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) (2020). - What are the CO2 emissions from energy in India?
The CO2 emissions from energy in India are 2.5 billion tonnes (2020).
MCQs
- What is the installed power generation capacity in India?
(A) 390 GW
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