Behind the glossy promises of renewables lies a hard truth: India’s energy future still runs on coal, oil, and gas
New Delhi, August 16, 2025
In a country like India, where energy demand is colossal and growing by the day, the idea that windmills and solar farms can power the nation’s future isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s a dangerous delusion. While policymakers flaunt “green targets” on global stages, the ground reality reveals that renewable energy remains a sideshow, not the saviour.
Coal Still Runs the Engine
Despite years of talk about clean energy, coal continues to fuel more than 70% of India’s electricity, according to the Ministry of Power (2024 data) . In fact, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that India’s coal consumption is set to grow through 2030, making the country the world’s second-largest coal consumer after China.
“Renewables can add capacity, but they can’t replace coal at the scale India needs,” said Anil Razdan, former Power Secretary of India, in an interview with The Hindu Business Line .
The Solar and Wind Mirage
Yes, solar and wind have grown rapidly—but let’s put numbers in perspective. Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data (2024) shows that even after massive investments, renewables account for only 13–14% of actual electricity generation . When the sun sets or the wind drops, the grid falls back on coal and gas.
Battery storage is often hailed as the fix, but here’s the reality: India’s total grid storage capacity in 2024 could power the country for just a few minutes, as reported by BloombergNEF .
The Harsh Reality of Renewable Energy
Behind the green rhetoric lies a darker side. Solar panels, turbines, and batteries depend on rare earths, cobalt, and lithium, most of which are imported from China and Africa. Mining these minerals has been linked to toxic pollution and exploitative labor, as reported by Amnesty International .
Even disposal is a looming crisis. India is projected to generate 200,000 tonnes of solar waste by 2030 , according to a Bridge to India report , and recycling infrastructure is almost nonexistent.
Jobs vs. Reality
The renewable industry often boasts of “millions of green jobs.” But most are temporary construction roles, not long-term employment. A Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) study found that while solar projects employ many during installation, jobs drop off sharply once the panels are in place. In contrast, coal mining and thermal plants sustain communities for decades.
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The Harsh Truth
None of this is to say India should abandon renewables—but the myth that solar and wind alone can light up 1.4 billion lives is misleading, even dangerous. Energy security for India means a balance, with coal, oil, gas, nuclear, and renewables playing their parts—not blind faith in one sector.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself admitted at COP28 : “India’s energy transition will be based on our own circumstances, not lectures from others.”
The truth is simple: renewables are an important supplement, but they are not a substitute. India’s energy backbone still runs on fossil fuels—and will for decades to come. Believing otherwise is not just naïve; it’s a green delusion.
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