Electricity sector in India

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The electricity sector in India supplies the world's 5th largest energy consumer, accounting for 4.0% of global energy consumption by more than 17% of global population. the Energy policy of India is predominantly controlled by the Government of India's, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal and Ministry of New Renewable Energy and administered locally by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Ramagundam Thermal Power Station, Andhra Pradesh

About 65.34%[1] of the electricity consumed in India is generated by thermal power plants, 21.53%[2] by hydroelectric power plants, 2.70% by nuclear power plants.[3] and 10.42% by Renewable Energy Sources. More than 50% of India's commercial energy demand is met through the country's vast coal reserves.[4] The country has also invested heavily in recent years inrenewable energy utilization, especially wind energy.[5] In 2010, India's installed wind generated electric capacity was 14,550 MW.[6] Additionally, India has committed massive amount of funds for the construction of various nuclear reactors which would generate at least 30,000 MW.[7] In July 2009, India unveiled a $19 billion plan to produce 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022.[8] Rapid economic growth has created a growing need for dependable and reliable supplies of electricity, gas and petroleum products.[9] Due to the fast-paced growth of India's economy, the country's energy demand has grown an average of 3.6% per annum over the past 30 years.[4] In August 2011, the installed power generation capacity of India stood at 181.558 GW[10] and per capita energy consumption stood at 704 kWh in 2008-09.[11] The country's annual energy production increased from about 190 billion kWh in 1986 to more than 837 billion kWh in 2010.[12] The Indian government has set a modest target to add approximately 78,000 MW of installed generation capacity by 2012 which it is likely to miss.[13][14] The total demand for electricity in India is expected to cross 950,000 MW by 2030.[15] Four major economic and social drivers characterize the energy policy of India: a rapidly growing economy, increasing household incomes, limited domestic reserves of fossil fuels and the adverse impact on the environment of rapid development in urban and regional areas.[16]

According to a research report published by Citigroup Global Markets, India is expected to add up to 113 GW of installed capacity by 2017. Further, renewable capacity might increase from 15.5 GW to 36.0 GW. In the private sector, major capacity additions are planned in Reliance Power (35 GW) and CESC (7 GW).[17

Thermal Power
Current installed capacity of Thermal Power as of June 30, 2011 is 115649.48 MW which is 65.34%[31]of total installed capacity.

Current installed base of Coal Based Thermal Power is 96,743.38 MW which comes to 54.66% of total installed base. Current installed base of Gas Based Thermal Power is 17,706.35 MW which is 10.00% of total installed capacity. Current installed base of Oil Based Thermal Power is 1,199.75 MW which is 0.67% of total installed capacity.

The state of Maharashtra is the largest producer of thermal power in the country.

Hydro Power
21.53% of total Electricity Generation in India.[32] The public sector has a predominant share of 97% in this sector.

Nuclear Power
Currently, twenty nuclear power reactors produce 4,780 MW which is about 2.7% of total generation[34]