India
Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| SSS Relevance | ⭐⭐ Medium |
| Market Type | Mixed (state utilities + competitive) |
| Key Clean Resources | Hydro (10%), Nuclear (3%), Solar/Wind (growing) |
| EAC System | I-REC, domestic REC system |
| Grid Carbon Intensity | ~700-750 gCO2/kWh |
India has the world's third-largest electricity system, still heavily coal-dependent (~74%) but with rapidly growing solar and wind capacity. Nuclear provides ~3% of generation from 23 operating reactors.
SSS Relevance
⭐⭐ Medium — India has moderate SSS potential:
- Operating nuclear fleet (~8 GW, ~3% of generation)
- Significant hydro (~50 GW, ~10% of generation)
- High coal dependency creates high-carbon residual mix
- Growing clean capacity — but demand growth absorbs additions
SSS-Eligible Resources
| Resource Type | Capacity/Output | SSS Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear | ~8 GW, ~3% of generation | ✅ Potentially SSS — not REC-tracked |
| Legacy Hydro | ~50 GW, ~10% | ⚠️ Depends on REC status |
Operating Nuclear Plants:
- Tarapur 1-4, Rawatbhata 1-6, Kudankulam 1-2, Kaiga 1-4, Kakrapar 1-4, Narora 1-2, Kalpakkam 1-2
Note: India has ambitious nuclear expansion plans (fleet-mode program for pressurized heavy water reactors).
Market Structure
Regulator: Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), State ERCs
Market Model: Mixed — state electricity boards (SEBs) operate distribution; wholesale market via IEX/PXIL; open access for large consumers.
Grid Operator: Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO)
Major Generators:
- NTPC (largest), NHPC (hydro), NPCIL (nuclear), Tata Power, Adani Power
Clean Energy Policy
| Policy | Status |
|---|---|
| Net Zero Target | 2070 |
| 500 GW Non-Fossil Target | By 2030 |
| Nuclear Target | 22.5 GW by 2031 |
| Renewable Purchase Obligation | State-level mandates |
EAC Infrastructure
Primary Systems:
- I-REC: International system, used by some renewable generators
- Domestic REC System: Regulated by CERC, traded on IEX
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| I-REC Issuer | SouthPole, Schneider Electric, others |
| Domestic REC | CERC/REC Registry of India |
| Scope | Renewables |
Important for SSS: Indian nuclear is operated by NPCIL (state-owned) and does not participate in REC markets. Nuclear generation could be SSS-eligible as default supply.
Emissions Factors
| Source | Value | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Grid Average | ~700-750 gCO2/kWh | Location-based Scope 2 |
| CEA Published Factors | State/grid-specific | Official reporting |
| Residual Mix | Not formally published | Emerging |