NITI Aayog 2070 Roadmap: India’s “Electric” Pivot from Coal to Clean Energy

On February 10, 2026, the government’s premier think tank, NITI Aayog, released a landmark series of 11 study reports outlining India’s path to a 30 trillion economy and Net Zero emissions. The findings suggest a radical “structural transformation” of the national grid. While coal has been the bedrock of Indian industry for decades, the report signals a definitive transition where sunlight and the atom will soon do the heavy lifting.

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The Gap: Why Capacity ≠ Generation

Despite India reaching a milestone of 258 GW of renewable capacity by December 2025, a troubling “structural challenge” remains.

• The Reality Check: While RE sources now make up 50% of installed capacity, they only contribute about 22% of actual electricity generation.

• The CUF Factor: Low Capacity Utilisation Factors (CUF) mean solar and wind are often “curtailed” due to grid constraints or timing mismatches.

• The Solution: NITI Aayog emphasizes that the next decade must focus on grid flexibility and market-based procurement rather than just adding panels and turbines.

Nuclear Power: The New Strategic Pillar

Perhaps the most significant shift in the 2026 roadmap is the elevation of nuclear energy. As coal exits the stage, the grid needs a “firm” source of power that doesn’t rely on the weather.

• Scaling Up: Capacity is projected to jump from 8.18 GW to a staggering 295–320 GW under the Net Zero Scenario.

• SMR Revolution: The report pushes for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to replace aging coal-based captive power plants in heavy industries like steel and cement.

• 24/7 Clean Power: Nuclear is identified as the “carbon-free baseload” that will support green hydrogen production and high-temperature industrial heat.

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The Coal Paradox: A 2050 Peak Before the Plunge

Despite the green push, coal isn’t disappearing overnight. NITI Aayog identifies a “dual trajectory” for fossil fuels.

1. The Peak: Coal demand is expected to more than double, peaking at 2.62 billion metric tons by 2050 to support rapid urbanization.

2. The Collapse: Post-2050, demand will crash. By 2070, coal will be restricted to “hard-to-abate” sectors, requiring Carbon Capture (CCUS) to meet climate goals.

3. Insurance Role: Existing coal plants will eventually transition from primary energy producers to “insurance” assets, used only during peak deficits or emergencies.

Infrastructure Hurdles: Storage and Grid Flexibility

A grid dominated by variable renewables requires an unprecedented investment in storage. The report estimates that India will need a cumulative investment of 14.23 trillion in the power sector by 2070.

• Battery Storage: Projected to scale to 2,500–3,000 GW by 2070.

• Pumped Hydro: Essential for long-duration stability, reaching 150–165 GW.

• Land Use: While RE requires massive space, NITI Aayog notes this will only consume about 12% of India’s current wasteland.

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[INDIA’S ENERGY MIX PROJECTIONS: 2025 vs 2070]

Next Steps

If you are an investor in the energy sector, you should focus on Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) and transmission infrastructure, as these are the primary bottlenecks identified in the NITI Aayog report. Furthermore, if you are a corporate leader in heavy industry, you should explore the government’s new Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat, which offers federal funds for early adoption of indigenous Small Modular Reactors.

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