India’s Net-Zero Path Requires 40-Fold Surge in Non-Fossil Energy: EY–CII

A joint report by EY and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) projects that India’s journey to a developed economy by 2047 will require tripling primary energy supply to nearly 35,000 TWh and scaling non-fossil energy sources forty-fold to meet two-thirds of demand.

The report, Eigenvectors of Net Zero Energy Transition: Pathways to Viksit Bharat 2047, frames India’s net-zero ambitions as a multidimensional challenge, balancing energy security, affordability, competitiveness, and sustainability. With a projected GDP of US$30 trillion and a population of 1.5 billion by 2047, the analysis underscores both the scale of the opportunity and the risks that must be managed.

Somesh Kumar, Partner & Leader, Power & Utilities, EY India, said, “India’s net-zero transition is not just a technology challenge—it is a multidimensional optimization problem. Achieving resilience will require modernising grids, scaling renewables and nuclear, building secure supply chains, and addressing health risks such as PM2.5 exposure. By adopting a human-centric approach, India can achieve net-zero while ensuring inclusive growth.”

India’s primary energy needs

The report highlights that India’s primary energy needs are expected to rise to approximately 35,000 TWh (around 3,000 Mtoe) by 2047. To meet two-thirds of this demand, clean energy supply must expand roughly forty times its current level. At the same time, energy cost share should remain below 10–11% of GDP to maintain affordability, while integrated health, energy, and environmental policies are necessary to tackle rising air pollution and PM2.5 exposure. The report also notes that low-carbon technology imports already account for 0.21% of GDP in FY25, pointing to the urgent need for domestic manufacturing resilience.

Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said, “India stands at a defining moment in its energy transition journey, having crossed 50% non-fossil capacity five years ahead of its NDCs. Becoming a developed economy by 2047 will require three times more primary energy supply and a forty-fold scale-up of non-fossil sources, presenting both opportunities and challenges. The report’s human-centric lens treats net-zero as a multidimensional optimization challenge, providing actionable guidance for policymakers, businesses, and investors.”

Legal clarity on private sector participation

The report also calls for legal clarity on private sector participation in nuclear power and fuel cycles, strengthening nuclear-grade supply chains through quality assurance and vendor development, and defining a framework for private sector involvement in Bharat Small Reactors. With energy consumption expected to surge alongside economic growth, the report warns that energy affordability and supply security will be as critical as decarbonization. It advocates a shift from fragmented, target-driven planning to integrated, risk-informed policymaking, balancing affordability, security, sustainability, and competitiveness to make India’s energy transition a driver of economic growth, social well-being, and global leadership.