MANY MINDEDIndia's Power Sector Emissions Stabilize Amid Clean Energy Surge
India’s power sector emissions remained flat from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2026—a first occurrence of two consecutive years without coal power growth in over 50 years. During this period, electricity demand rose 7% (63 terawatt hours), entirely covered by clean energy sources. Solar capacity expanded by 77 gigawatts, generating 44 terawatt hours of clean power. Yet overall national emissions increased 3.7% year-on-year, driven by steel and cement sectors that rose 8% each. These industries accounted for 23% of India’s total emissions.
The mechanism lies in clean energy’s scale: India’s solar expansion directly offset coal’s stagnation while meeting demand growth. This decoupling of electricity generation from fossil fuel emissions demonstrates how clean energy can stabilize emissions in major economies without halting development. The power sector’s flatline represents a critical shift in how energy infrastructure can support growth without accelerating climate impacts.
This matters for energy access and security in developing nations. It proves that rapid clean energy deployment can stabilize emissions in electricity generation—reducing the risk of fossil fuel dependency for billions. However, the industrial sector’s emissions growth shows that power sector progress alone cannot solve systemic decarbonization. What follows will determine whether India’s clean energy momentum extends beyond electricity to industrial emissions, directly impacting the affordability and security of energy for its population.
*Note: This brief uses only data from Carbon Brief’s analysis (published September 17, 2026) covering six-monthly periods from early 2024 to early 2026. The power sector flatline does not reflect national emissions trends, which rose due to industrial growth. The analysis was conducted by Carbon Brief with lead analyst Lauri Myllyvirta and India analyst Anubha Aggarwal from CREA.*
Source: Carbon Brief