"India's energy security will increasingly be defined by independence, efficiency and resilience as the nation builds a modern, future-ready energy ecosystem to power Viksit Bharat 2047," highlights the CII-EY report launched on 6 Aug 2026 at the 7th International Energy Conference and Exhibition in New Delhi.
Titled “India's Energy Security in a Volatile World: Independence, Efficiency and Resilience,” the report notes that India is entering a defining phase of its development journey, with its energy system evolving into one of the world's largest, most dynamic and fastest-transforming energy ecosystems. Today, India is the world's third-largest energy consumer and third-largest crude oil importer, reflecting both the scale of its economic ambitions and its growing role in shaping the global energy landscape.
According to the report, India's energy transition is being driven by sustained economic growth, industrial expansion, urbanisation, digitalisation and technological innovation, with electricity emerging as the backbone of this transformation. Per-capita electricity consumption has risen to 1,153 kWh, while total electricity demand has increased nearly 2.5 times over the past 15 years, reflecting the country's rapidly expanding energy requirements.
The report highlights India's remarkable progress in building a cleaner and more diversified energy system. As of June 2026, the country has installed more than 160 GW of solar capacity and nearly 57 GW of wind capacity, establishing India as one of the world's leading renewable energy markets. This rapid expansion is creating new opportunities for sustainable growth, industrial competitiveness, green manufacturing and long-term energy resilience.
Supporting this transformation is one of the world's largest transmission expansion programmes. India's transmission network has expanded to more than 508,000 circuit kilometres, while substation transformation capacity has reached nearly 1,469 GVA. The report notes that this modern and increasingly interconnected grid will play a critical role in integrating renewable energy, supporting emerging industrial clusters and meeting the needs of a rapidly electrifying economy.
The report also highlights India's investments in next-generation energy technologies. It notes the successful first criticality of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in April 2026 as a significant milestone in India's indigenous three-stage nuclear programme. Building on this achievement, India has outlined an ambitious vision to expand nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047, strengthening the role of reliable, low-carbon power in ensuring long-term energy security and grid stability.
Recognising the growing role of digital technologies, the report underscores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the energy sector. AI can improve renewable energy forecasting, optimise grid operations, enhance asset performance, strengthen demand-side management and improve overall system efficiency.
The report further highlights India's significant achievements in energy efficiency. National energy-efficiency initiatives have delivered cumulative savings of 356 billion units of electricity, avoided nearly 366 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and generated economic benefits of approximately Rs 2.82 lakh crore, demonstrating how efficiency simultaneously enhances competitiveness, reduces costs and strengthens energy security.
Looking ahead, the report identifies emerging opportunities across advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, clean energy technologies and circular economy solutions. It notes that continued investments in domestic capabilities, innovation, recycling and strategic partnerships can strengthen India's position in global clean energy value chains while supporting long-term economic resilience and technological leadership.
The report concludes that India's energy transition is not merely a shift from one source of energy to another but the creation of a modern, resilient and future-ready energy ecosystem. By combining renewable energy, nuclear power, modern electricity grids, digital intelligence, energy efficiency and strong domestic capabilities, India is building the foundations of an energy system capable of powering sustained growth, enhancing competitiveness and supporting the aspirations of a developed nation. As India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047, energy security will increasingly be defined by the country's ability to combine independence, efficiency and resilience.