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India’s Power Emissions Stay Flat as Clean Energy Surges
India used more electricity between early 2024 and early 2026.
Clean-energy sources supplied all of the extra electricity people needed.
Solar provided the biggest increase, followed by wind, nuclear power and hydropower.
Coal-based power did not grow during these two years.
This helped keep emissions from the power sector flat.
However, India’s total emissions still increased because industries such as steel and cement produced more pollution.
The analysis says India will need better electricity grids, more energy storage and more flexible coal plants.
It also warns that new coal investments could make future emissions harder to reduce.
India’s power-sector emissions were unchanged from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2026.
Clean energy met the entire 7% increase in electricity demand, adding 63 terawatt-hours of generation.
Solar generation rose by 44 TWh, while wind, nuclear and hydro increased by 13, 7 and 8 TWh respectively.
India’s overall emissions still rose 3.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, driven partly by steel and cement.
Steel and cement emissions grew 8% and accounted for 23% of India’s total carbon dioxide emissions during the period.
- Who
- The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, with analysts Lauri Myllyvirta and Anubha Aggarwal, conducted the analysis.
- What
- India’s power-sector emissions remained flat over two years as clean energy covered rising electricity demand, while emissions from heavy industry increased.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The comparison covers the first half of 2024 through the first half of 2026; the analysis was published on September 17, 2026.
- Why
- Clean-energy generation increased enough to meet the growth in electricity demand, but steel, cement and other sectors increased their emissions.
Clean-energy progress
Continuing emissions risks
Power-sector trajectory
Clean-energy progress
Clean energy supplied all of the additional electricity needed as demand grew, while coal power did not expand over the two-year period.
Continuing emissions risks
The fossil-fuel industry continues to pursue new coal-power capacity and other coal-related investments.
Emissions outlook
Clean-energy progress
The record increase in non-fossil generation helped keep power-sector emissions flat.
Continuing emissions risks
Overall emissions still rose 3.7% because emissions from steel, cement and other sectors increased.
Economic and infrastructure pressures
Clean-energy progress
Further clean-energy growth could continue if India upgrades its grid and expands energy storage.
Continuing emissions risks
The analysis says grid upgrades, storage and more flexible coal power are necessary, while steel and cement producers face high raw-material and freight costs.
Key facts
- Power-sector emissions
- Unchanged from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2026.
- Electricity-demand growth
- 7% over the two-year period.
- Additional clean generation
- 63 terawatt-hours.
- Solar generation increase
- 44 terawatt-hours.
- Overall emissions growth
- 3.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026.
- Steel and cement emissions
- Up 8% year-on-year and equal to 23% of India’s total carbon dioxide emissions.
- Recommended energy measures
- Upgrade the grid, rapidly expand energy storage and improve the flexibility of coal power.
Quotes
Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air
Research organization whose analysts produced the cited analysis
“Despite this, profit margins of Indian steel and cement manufacturers remained under pressure for much of the period due to elevated raw material costs -- particularly imported coking coal -- and higher freight costs stemming from the Hormuz crisis”
thehindubusinessline.com
“The period from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2026 saw the largest increase in non-fossil power generation on record in India.... Solar grew by 44TWh, alongside growth from wind (13TWh), nuclear (7TWh) and hydro (8TWh)”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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