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India’s Power Sector Offers INR 200 Lakh Cr Investment Opportunity Over Next 2 Decades: Power Minister

At Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, Power Minister Manohar Lal stated that India’s power sector presents investment opportunities worth INR 200 lakh crore over the next two decades, backed by rapid capacity expansion and grid modernisation.

March 20, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey

India’s power sector offers about INR 200 lakh crore investment opportunities over the next two decades, stated Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal during his keynote address at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026.

The Minister also highlighted India’s remarkable progress with a 72 percent expansion in transmission infrastructure to over 5 lakh circuit kilometres, meeting 250 GW peak demand in 2024-25 and being fully prepared to meet peak demand of 270 GW and beyond, while positioning itself as a future global exporter of affordable energy. He also outlined initiatives such as cross-border energy connectivity and undersea transmission networks.

He further added, “From relying on conventional resources to now returning to the power of the sun, we are completing a full circle. Energy is at the heart of development, and as India moves towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, our focus is on innovation, affordability, and global collaboration.”

Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, emphasised that while thermal power will continue to serve as the backbone of the energy system, renewable energy represents the only sustainable long-term pathway, underscoring the need for a balanced transition driven by scale, speed, and skill.

Complementing this vision, Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, highlighted that India’s installed power capacity has more than doubled since 2014, with renewable energy witnessing exponential growth, from 2.8 GW solar capacity to over 143 GW today. He emphasised that over 32 lakh households and 23 lakh farmers are already contributing to clean energy generation, reflecting a shift towards a participative energy economy.

Adding to this, Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, stated that India now operates one of the world’s largest synchronised grids, supported by advanced balancing systems, large-scale smart meter deployment and strong policy frameworks.

He further added, “India’s power sector transformation over the past decade offers a strong global model, driven by policy clarity, scale, and innovation. From near-zero peak deficits to one of the world’s largest synchronised grids, and from falling solar tariffs to smart infrastructure rollout, we are building a system that is efficient, reliable, and investment-ready. The next phase will be defined by technology, data, and global partnerships.”

During the inaugural session, the Ministry of Power released key strategic reports, including the National Resource Adequacy Plan, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to meet India’s growing electricity demand through a balanced energy mix, and the Transmission Plan for Integration of over 900 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity by 2035-36. The transmission blueprint envisages the development of 1,37,500 circuit kilometres of transmission lines and 8,27,600 MVA substation capacity, with an estimated investment of INR 7.93 lakh crore, ensuring seamless evacuation of renewable energy and strengthening grid resilience.

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Bharat Electricity Summit 2026

National Resource Adequacy Plan