COP31 Pushes India Toward Faster Electrification Amid Coal Dependence

COP31, to be co-hosted by Turkey and Australia in Antalya, will introduce a “35-by-35” pledge that aims to increase electricity’s share of global energy consumption to 35% by 2035, up from one outlet 20-23%. India, whose electricity share sits at 18-20% and is dominated by coal, faces a steep climb to meet the pledge, needing to double its electrification rate as demand rises 6-7% each year. Analysts stress that expanding renewable generation, building large-scale storage, and upgrading transmission are essential, yet coal plants remain crucial for meeting peak loads of 270 GW this month.

Unlike China, which has set clear national electrification goals, India lacks a single target, relying instead on sector-specific aims for renewables and electric vehicles. Stakeholders argue that a unified benchmark could draw the foreign financing required to modernise the grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.