India’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2070 is more than just a climate target-it’s a challenge to completely rethink how we produce, distribute, and consume energy. With power generation being the single largest source of emissions in the country, the journey to net zero begins-and will likely be decided-in the power sector.
So, what does net zero actually mean for how India powers itself over the next five decades?
1. From Fossil Dominance to Clean Dominance
As of now, nearly three-quarters of India’s electricity comes from coal. To reach net zero, that can’t just be reduced-it must be systematically replaced. This shift won’t happen overnight. But it does mean:
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No new long-term coal investment beyond what's already committed
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Gradual retirement of legacy coal plants
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A steep increase in clean capacity additions every year
The end goal? A grid where fossil fuels are no longer essential for baseline reliability.
2. Renewables Must Grow-But Also Mature
India is targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. That’s massive. But sheer numbers won’t be enough. Solar and wind, while essential, are intermittent. They need a reliable partner to ensure that the grid doesn’t buckle when the sun sets or the wind dies.
That’s where hydropower and storage come in-not to compete, but to complete.
3. The Role of Hydropower in the Net Zero Puzzle
Hydro’s importance is often underrated. It provides:
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Dispatchable clean power, unlike solar/wind
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Grid balancing to handle variability
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Long asset life, often 50–100 years
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A foundation for green hydrogen production (stable, renewable input)
Hydropower isn’t just an energy source-it’s a stability layer for the renewable economy.
4. Hydrogen Will Decarbonize What Electricity Can’t
Not everything can run on electricity-especially in industries like steel, cement, shipping, and aviation. That’s where green hydrogen steps in.
India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to make the country a global hub. But here’s the catch: hydrogen is only as green as the power behind it. That’s why hydro-powered electrolysis will be key to making hydrogen truly emission-free.
5. The Power Grid Must Evolve Too
The transition isn’t just about generation-it’s about transmission, storage, and smart management. A net-zero power sector means:
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Expanded grid capacity
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Smarter, AI-driven load balancing
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Investment in pumped storage and battery systems
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Cross-state coordination and RE-rich corridor planning
Without a smarter grid, even clean power can become inefficient.
6. What CD Hydro Believes
We see net zero not as a distant target, but a design principle. Every hydro project we plan, every location we evaluate, and every strategy we back is aligned with the long arc of decarbonization.
India’s clean energy future needs more than momentum-it needs direction, discipline, and durability. That’s what we’re here to build.
Net zero by 2070 isn’t a talking point. It’s a blueprint for rewiring India’s power system at every level. Clean generation, reliable storage, smart grids, and hydrogen-ready infrastructure-each one is a step. And together, they form a future worth investing in.