Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Power
The Power Ministry expects Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Data Centres to consume around 26.3 gigawatts (GW) of electricity by FY22, which will primarily be served by renewable energy.India’s Electric Power Survey (EPS) is regularly conducted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) every five years for estimating the electricity demand of the country, said the Minister of State for Power Shripad Yesso Naik in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha.“An additional load of 26.3 GW from Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centres is projected by 2031–32, which is expected to be integrated into the grid and primarily served by renewable energy capacity,” he added.As per the National Electricity Plan (NEP), installed generation capacity in 2031-32 is likely to be 874 GW.The Minister emphasised that the development of transmission infrastructure is also being undertaken in a phased manner, commensurate with the growing electricity demand and planned generation capacity addition, including renewable energy.Estimated investmentThe National Electricity Plan envisages development of the transmission system with an estimated investment of about ₹9,16,142 crore during the plan period (2022-32), he added.Grid modernisation measures, including deployment of static synchronous compensator (STATCOMs), battery energy storage systems (BESS), synchronous condensers and other advanced grid support technologies are also being planned to enhance grid reliability, flexibility and facilitate integration of renewable energy, Naik informed the upper house.The government is also adding more thermal power capacity to manage base load for grid stability.The projected thermal (coal and lignite) capacity requirement by the year FY36 is estimated at around 3,15,000 MW as against the 2,11,855 MW installed capacity as on March 31, 2023. To meet this requirement, the Ministry has envisaged to set up an additional minimum 1,05,000 MW coal and lignite based thermal capacity.Of this, thermal capacities of around 21,080 MW have been commissioned since April 2023 till June 30, 2026. In addition, 47,545 MW of thermal capacity (including 4,845 MW of stressed thermal power projects) is currently under construction. The contracts of 16,000 MW have been awarded and are due for construction.Published on July 27, 2026
