In a bold move towards energy self-reliance, India’s Draft NEP 2026 has been opened for public feedback. Designed to deliver affordable, quality electricity nationwide by 2047, it builds on ‘Developed India’ aspirations with doubled per capita consumption targets: 2,000 kWh by 2030 and beyond 4,000 by 2047.
The policy, succeeding the 2005 version, integrates climate pledges by fast-tracking low-carbon sources. States must prepare resource plans via discoms and SLDCs, while CEA drafts a national roadmap to ensure supply-demand balance.
Innovative tariff strategies propose linking rates to indices for seamless updates, converting fixed costs into demand charges, and eliminating cross-subsidies for key sectors like industry and transport. This will enhance export competitiveness and lower costs.
Large users (1 MW+) may get USO waivers, and renewables get a boost through trading surplus distributed energy, equalizing RE and conventional sources by 2030. Storage solutions via discoms aim to cut expenses for small consumers.
Nuclear power scales up with small modular reactors and industrial adoption, eyeing 100 GW by 2047 per new atomic laws. Faster dispute settlements protect consumers financially.
From overcoming 2005’s challenges of scarcity and poor access, India’s power sector has surged. NEP 2026 charts a sustainable path to reliable, eco-friendly electricity for every citizen.