Majority of professionals expect renewables to pip coal-based power production by 2035: Survey

New Delhi: At least three in four energy professionals expect renewables to overtake coal (thermal power) by 2035, but grid readiness will determine the crossover, according to a survey by the Energy & Climate Initiatives Society (ENCIS).

India has crossed the first threshold of its electricity transition: non-fossil sources now constitute more than half of installed capacity, ENICS said in a statement.

The harder threshold, producing more electricity from renewables than from coal, reliably and across every hour, remains ahead, it stated.

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Nearly 75 percent of the 250 professionals surveyed across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai expect renewables to surpass coal-based power generation as India's primary source of electricity by 2035, the survey said.

Significantly, 28 percent anticipate the crossover by 2030, signalling confidence that the transition could advance faster than current planning assumptions.

As of 31 July 2026, India had 291.7 GW of renewable capacity and 300.5 GW of total non-fossil capacity, it noted.

Yet during FY2025-26, thermal sources generated approximately 1,307 billion units, against about 478 billion units from large hydro and other renewables combined. India has transformed its capacity base; its operating power system remains substantially thermal-dependent, it stated.

P K Pujari, Honorary Chairman, ENCIS, said that this must not become a binary contest between coal and renewables.

Coal's role will evolve before it declines, from the default source of energy towards a flexible provider of adequacy and strategic reliability, he stated.

The industry is signalling a clear preference for solar energy, with 61 percent of respondents selecting it as the decisive growth choice.

Wind energy was chosen by 14 percent of respondents, while green hydrogen and hydro/biomass were selected by 11 percent and approximately 12 percent, respectively, the survey said.

The main drivers of this transition are climate and net zero commitments, cited by 32 percent of participants, along with falling renewable costs, which account for 27 percent.

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However, significant barriers remain: grid integration and reliability are identified as the largest challenge by 29 percent of respondents, followed by financing gaps at 24 percent, and issues with land acquisition and permitting at 18 percent.

Abhishek Bhatnagar, Director General, ENCIS, said that India does not lack ambition or technology; it needs a stronger architecture of delivery linking policy, capital, infrastructure, institutions and markets.

The findings will be presented at Bharat Electricity, POWERGEN India and Indian Utility Week 2026, to be held from September 1 to 3, 2026 in the national capital.

The event will unite over 15,000 energy professionals, 250+ exhibitors, and 150+ industry leaders on a single, integrated platform.

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