Source: IE
Context:
Carbon dioxide emissions from India’s electricity sector dropped by 1% in the first half of 2025 compared to H1 2024. First sectoral decline outside Covid years, electricity accounts for ~40% of India’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Analysis Source: Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), for Carbon Brief.
Contributing Factors
- Weather Factors:
- Milder summer temperatures reduced electricity demand.
- Monsoon rainfall was ~30% above normal in pre-monsoon period (March–May).
- Fewer and less intense heatwaves reduced air-conditioning load (~10% of summer electricity demand).
- Structural Factors:
- Accelerated deployment of renewable energy.
- India added 25.1 GW of clean electricity capacity in H1 2025 (~70% higher than H1 2024).
- Total power generation increased by 9 TWh, while fossil fuel (mainly coal) generation fell by 29 TWh.
- Solar (+17 TWh), wind (+9 TWh), hydro (+9 TWh), and nuclear (+3 TWh) generation increased.
Government Initiatives for Reducing Electricity Sector Emissions
- National Solar Mission & NAPCC: Promotes solar, wind, hydro, and distributed generation.
- Green Energy Corridors: Efficient evacuation of renewable power.
- Energy Storage & Flexibility: Battery storage integration with solar and wind.
- Energy Efficiency: PAT scheme, smart meters, and demand-side management.
- Policy & Incentives: Renewable Energy Certificates, tax benefits, state RPOs.
