New Delhi, Jan. 22 -- India's per-capita consumption of electricity will increase from 1,395 units (kilo watt hour or kWh) in 2023-24 to 2,000 units by 2030 and over 4,000 units by 2047, when India is a $30 trillion economy, the power ministry said in its draft National Electricity Policy 2026, released on Wednesday. To be sure, this will require the country's GDP to grow by over 10% a year. The policy also reaffirms India's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. India has committed to cut emissions intensity by 45% below 2005 levels by 2030. It has also committed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, requiring a shift to low-carbon energy. India has already achieved over 250 GW renewable energy capacity, including 50 GW of large hydro, which is more than 50% of the total installed generation capacity, according to the draft. India's energy independence, aligned with low-carbon pathways, hinges on three approaches, it added: maximizing non-fossil fuel based generation; electrifying end-use sectors such as industry, transport and cooking using clean electricity; and encouraging energy efficiency and demand side management. To be sure, coal will continue to play a significant role in meeting base load demand, the policy stated, and ensure the country's energy security. Existing coal-based plants, wherever feasible, should be retrofitted to enable flexible operation, it said. By 2047, over 80% of the installed capacity and nearly two thirds of total electricity generation in the country will be from non-fossil sources, according to the draft. The share of electricity in total energy consumption is also projected to double. Variable renewable energy (VRE), primarily solar and wind, now account for around 37% of the total installed generation capacity in India. However, their intermittent nature necessitates integration with firm sources and energy storage systems. "There is an urgent need to expand and augment intra-state transmission networks to facilitate integration of variable renewable energy within the state," the draft added. The power ministry has sought comments to the draft policy within 30 days from January 20. Disha Agarwal, Senior Programme Lead, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) said, "In 2047, we will consume four times as much electricity as we did in 2024. States, therefore, need to plan for and add new capacities quickly. However, the choice of capacity is crucial and must be governed by robust demand forecasting."...