Human development and energy consumption are closely intertwined. As societies progress economically and technologically, their demand for energy rises in both scale and complexity. For India, aspiring to join the ranks of developed nations, the challenge is not merely to generate more energy but to do so in a way that is sustainable, reliable, and aligned with long-term development goals.
How Energy Use Reflects Human Progress
Historical analysis shows that energy needs expand with each stage of human advancement. Early societies relied almost entirely on food energy. With hunting, settlement, and agriculture came additional energy requirements for homes, transport, and basic industry. The industrial age intensified this demand, while the present digital era has added new layers through data centres, communication networks, and automated systems.
This progression underlines a simple reality: higher standards of living require higher per capita energy consumption. Digitalisation, electrification of transport, and modern industry are all energy-intensive, making adequate energy supply a prerequisite for sustained human development.
HDI, Energy Demand, and India’s Ambition
The Human Development Index (HDI), which combines income, education, and health outcomes, provides a useful benchmark for assessing development. Countries with an HDI above 0.9 typically consume far more energy per capita than India currently does. Estimates based on the correlation between HDI and final energy consumption suggest that India would need to generate around 24,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy annually to reach this level.
Of this, a significant share would be required as electricity, while the remainder would support the production of green hydrogen. Hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, fertilisers, and chemicals. While technological breakthroughs could reduce future electricity requirements for hydrogen, the near-term demand remains substantial.
The Scale of the Generation Challenge
India’s current annual electricity generation is under 2,000 TWh. Even with steady growth rates, reaching the required scale would take several decades. This long horizon introduces two major complications. First, India must decarbonise its energy system even as it expands. Second, electricity must account for a much larger share of final energy consumption, replacing fossil fuels in transport, industry, and households.
At present, fossil fuels dominate India’s energy mix. Shifting away from them requires not just more generation but a fundamental redesign of how energy is produced, stored, and consumed.
Limits of Renewables and the Baseload Question
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are central to India’s transition, but they face structural constraints. High population density limits the availability of land for large-scale solar deployment, while hydro and wind potential is geographically and environmentally constrained. More importantly, solar and wind are intermittent, producing electricity only when weather and daylight permit.
Large-scale storage to smooth out daily and seasonal variations remains expensive. For an affordable and reliable power system, India requires sufficient baseload capacity — electricity that is available round the clock, independent of time and season.
Why Nuclear Energy Becomes Central
In this context, nuclear power emerges as a critical component of a decarbonised energy mix. Nuclear plants provide continuous baseload power without carbon emissions. Over decades, India has developed a largely indigenous nuclear ecosystem, including reactor design, fuel fabrication, heavy water production, and waste management.
Domestic reactors based on pressurised heavy water technology have steadily increased in capacity, with newer units reaching higher output levels. Regulatory institutions and research facilities have also evolved to ensure safety, fuel reprocessing, and waste handling, making nuclear power a technically viable and mature option.
The SHANTI Bill and Nuclear Expansion
Building on this foundation, Parliament has passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025. The legislation consolidates earlier legal frameworks governing atomic energy and nuclear liability, while reaffirming that responsibility for safety and security rests primarily with plant operators.
The Bill supports the government’s target of achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear installed capacity by the middle of the century. This goal reflects an acknowledgement that without a substantial nuclear component, India’s aspirations for high human development and deep decarbonisation may be difficult to realise.
Why This Matters for India’s Development Trajectory
Energy policy is not merely about power generation; it shapes economic growth, industrial competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. For India, the path to higher human development runs through a massive expansion of clean, reliable energy. Nuclear power, alongside renewables and efficiency improvements, offers a way to bridge the gap between developmental ambition and environmental responsibility.
The choices made today will determine whether India can combine prosperity with sustainability in the decades ahead.
What to Note for Prelims?
- Human Development Index correlates strongly with per capita energy consumption.
- India may require around 24,000 TWh of annual energy generation to reach high HDI levels.
- Renewables face intermittency and land constraints.
- Nuclear energy provides carbon-free baseload power.
- The SHANTI Bill, 2025, aims to facilitate nuclear expansion.
What to Note for Mains?
- Link between energy consumption, HDI, and economic development.
- Challenges of decarbonising energy while expanding supply.
- Role and limitations of renewable energy in India.
- Strategic importance of nuclear power for baseload and climate goals.
- Policy significance of the SHANTI Bill in India’s long-term energy transition.
