{"id":66831,"date":"2026-02-16T18:27:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=66831"},"modified":"2026-02-17T11:48:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T06:18:31","slug":"niti-aayog-renewables-2070","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/16-02-2026\/niti-aayog-renewables-2070","title":{"rendered":"Renewable Energy to Dominate India\u2019s Grid by 2070: NITI Aayog"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment\/Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As per NITI Aayog India\u2019s electricity mix <strong>could shift decisively from coal-heavy to renewable-led by 2070.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Highlights of the Study<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coal <\/strong>remains the backbone of India\u2019s electricity landscape, <strong>accounting for nearly 74%<\/strong> of generation and providing dependable, low-cost base-load power.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Under the Current Policy Scenario (CPS) renewable energy\u2019s share in electricity generation<\/strong> could rise from around 20% in 2024-25 to more than 80% by 2070.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the same scenario, coal\u2019s share in electricity generation could <strong>decline sharply to 6-10 per cent by 2070.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As coal\u2019s role shrinks, <strong>nuclear power is expected to expand gradually, <\/strong>increasing its share from about 3% at present to 5-8% by 2070.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Energy Share<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>As of 2025, <\/strong>the country\u2019s total installed electricity capacity has crossed <strong>500 GW, reaching 500.89 GW.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e7ebee\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e7ebee;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"290\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-79.png\" alt=\"india\u2019s energy share\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-66832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-79.png 290w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-79-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Non-fossil fuel sources (renewable energy, hydro, and nuclear):<\/strong> 256.09 GW \u2013 over 51 % of the total.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fossil-fuel-based sources:<\/strong> 244.80 GW, about<strong> 49 % of the total, <\/strong>making coal a source of up to almost half the energy needs. Also, coal contributes about<strong> 74% of total electricity production in India.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>&nbsp;Within renewables:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Solar power:<\/strong> 127.33 GW.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wind power:<\/strong> 53.12 GW.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>During FY 2025\u201326<\/strong> India added 28 GW of non-fossil capacity and 5.1 GW of fossil-fuel capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in Transition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Limited Share in Actual Generation: <\/strong>Despite rapid capacity addition, RE\u2019s share in electricity generation rose only from 19.6% (2013-14) to 22% (2024-25) due to structural issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Intermittency Challenge: <\/strong>Solar and wind are variable in nature, making round-the-clock supply difficult. Hence, coal remains essential for grid stability and meeting peak demand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limited energy storage:<\/strong> Large-scale energy storage (like battery systems) remains underdeveloped, restricting the grid\u2019s ability to use RE during peak demand or low generation periods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Import dependence:<\/strong> India relies heavily on imported critical minerals (like lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements) for batteries, solar, and wind technologies, exposing it to global supply risks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Financial &amp; Policy Hurdles:<\/strong> High upfront costs for solar, wind, and storage systems.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are delays in policy implementation and regulatory approvals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Land &amp; Resource Constraints:<\/strong> Limited availability of land for large-scale solar\/wind projects.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Environmental and social conflicts in land acquisition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technological &amp; Skill Gaps: <\/strong>Need for advanced technologies in storage, smart grids, and hybrid systems.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shortage of skilled workforce in RE installation and maintenance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Solar Mission (NSM): <\/strong>It was launched in 2010, it has set ambitious targets for solar capacity installation, including grid-connected and off-grid solar power projects.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF): <\/strong>It was established to support research and innovation in clean energy technologies and projects that help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Wind Energy Mission:<\/strong> Focuses on the development and expansion of wind energy in India. The target for wind energy capacity is set at 140 GW by 2030.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Financial Support &amp; Incentives: <\/strong>Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for large-scale solar and hybrid projects.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar PV manufacturing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subsidies for rooftop solar and off-grid systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to promote green power trading.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Infrastructure Development:<\/strong> Green Energy Corridor to improve RE grid integration.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PM-KUSUM Scheme for solarizing agricultural pumps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to strengthen DISCOMs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emerging Technologies &amp; Projects: <\/strong>Support for Battery Storage, hybrid systems, and RTC power.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Promotion of offshore wind and floating solar projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focus on Hydrogen Mission for green hydrogen development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>International Partnerships: <\/strong>ISA (International Solar Alliance) launched by India to promote global solar cooperation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Collaboration with countries &amp; global funds for clean energy investment and technology.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nuclear Power as Strategic Pillar: <\/strong>Nuclear capacity is projected to increase from 8.18 GW (2025) to 90\u2013135 GW by 2070.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This provides firm low-carbon power, supports green hydrogen, and ensures 24\u00d77 supply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coal\u2019s Continued Role: <\/strong>Coal capacity may peak at 450\u2013470 GW in 2050, and some coal plants are likely to operate as reserve\/low-utilisation capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Core Constraint:<\/strong> Transition depends on cost reduction, land availability, grid expansion, storage scalability, and faster nuclear deployment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-economics\/renewables-to-dominate-indias-grid-by-2070-but-structural-challenges-are-slowing-the-pace-10527462\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> As per NITI Aayog India\u2019s electricity mix could shift decisively from coal-heavy to renewable-led by 2070. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Major Highlights of the Study <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Coal remains the backbone of India\u2019s electricity landscape, accounting for nearly 74% of generation and providing dependable, low-cost base-load power. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Under the Current Policy Scenario (CPS) renewable energy\u2019s share in electricity generation could rise from around 20% in 2024-25 to more than 80% by 2070. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> In the same scenario, coal\u2019s share in electricity generation could decline sharply to 6-10 per cent by 2070. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/16-02-2026\/niti-aayog-renewables-2070 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66831","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66831"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66831\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66866,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66831\/revisions\/66866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}