India is the sixth largest in terms of power generation. About 65% of the electricity consumed in India is generated by thermal power plants, 22% by hydroelectric power plants, 3% by nuclear power plants and rest by 10% from other alternate sources like solar, wind, biomass etc. 53.7% of India’s commercial energy demand is met through the country’s vast coal reserves. The country has also invested heavily in recent years on renewable sources of energy such as wind energy. As of March 2011, India’s installed wind power generation capacity stood at about 12000 MW. Additionally, India has committed massive amount of funds for the construction of various nuclear reactors which would generate at least 30,000 MW. In July 2009, India unveiled a $19 billion plan to produce 20,000 MW of solar power by 2020 under National Solar Mission.

The per capita power consumption in India is 733.54KWh/yr, which is very minimal as compared to global average of 2340KWh/yr.

Electricity losses in India during transmission and distribution are extremely high, about 28.44%(2008-09). India needs to tide over a peak power shortfall of 13% between 5pm and 11pm by reducing losses due to theft and pilferage.. Due to shortage of electricity, power cuts are common throughout India and this has adversely effected the country’s economic growth. Theft of electricity, common in most parts of urban India, amounts to 1.5% of India’s GDP. The condition of utilities are not good either, cumulative loss of 110 power utilities are estimated as Rs 86,136 crore which is expected to to rise to Rs 1,16,089 crore by 2014-15. Despite an ambitious rural electrification program, some 400 million Indians lose electricity access