India will need cumulative investments of USD 14.23 trillion in its power sector by 2070 to meet its net zero target, according to a NITI Aayog report released on Tuesday.
The estimate covers renewable energy, storage, and transmission under a net zero scenario where non-fossil fuel sources account for 98 per cent of power generation.
The report, titled Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero Sectoral Insights: Power, said India’s development and climate ambitions increasingly depend on the electricity system. As the country moves toward Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero 2070, the growth of the power sector will determine whether economic growth is inclusive and sustainable.
The study noted that reliable, affordable, and cleaner electricity is critical to improving living standards, boosting productivity, and enabling decarbonisation across transport, buildings, and industry. India had installed nearly 258 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by December 2025, making it the world’s fourth-largest renewable energy market.
However, the next phase of expansion will be more complex, with electricity demand expected to rise sharply due to urbanisation, cooling needs, digitalisation, electric mobility, and green hydrogen.
The report projected that electricity’s share in final energy consumption will rise from 21 per cent in 2025 to nearly 60 per cent by 2070 under the net zero scenario.
Total installed power capacity is projected to grow 14 times by 2070 in the net-zero pathway, dominated by solar and wind, alongside large-scale battery storage, pumped hydro, and a significant expansion of nuclear power. The report said cumulative investment needs would be USD 8.79 trillion under current policies and USD 14.23 trillion under the net zero scenario.