India is at the third place in the global energy markets. India has the world’s third largest electricity generation system after China and US. It is also the world’s third largest power generator as well as the third largest carbon dioxide emitter. India also has the world’s largest population without the access to electricity that is 250 million individuals do not have electricity access out of the 1.3 billion people residing in the country. An access to electricity depends on the infrastructure of the country as well as the technology available in the country. Technology is enabling the growth of electrification as well as blunting it at the same time.

On a positive note, incandescent light bulbs are being replaced by LED bulbs which consume less power. India has about 770 million inefficient bulbs and has installed 253 million LEDs so far. The National Ujala Dashboard tracks the deployment of tubelights, bulbs and fans in the country. The result of the new bulbs is 6.5 gigawatts of “avoided peak demand”, which means that the power system does not need to supply the additional power for lighting. 253 million LEDs mean India’s demand for electricity is 4% lower than it would be without the Led bulbs. Tripling the use of LEDs and eliminating the inefficient bulbs would increase the peak demand to 20 gigawatts or 12%.

A higher efficiency means a lower demand which is a welcome move towards easing the supply constraints. The approach to zero deficit is also due to more power generation and higher transmission and distribution. The demand increased by 9% in 2014 but the number is expected to drop by two thirds by 2021. An increase in the efficiency in new lighting and a higher delivery of generated power are ideal for the country. But they are less efficient for power generators whose potential has been steadily falling. Plants which are owned by the Central Government have the highest potential while those owned by State Government have a potential of less than 55% and privately owned plants are much better off.

India’s demand for electricity is constantly growing and so are the physical plants to support it. The physical system is also simultaneously increasing with improved efficiency. What India needs now is the use of optimum technology that will help make use of the infrastructure and ensure that electricity reaches every nook and corner of the country. The country also has good infrastructure to fulfill the growing demand of electricity every year, but it is the right use of technology that will help make the most of it. India has access to the best technology across the World and with the use of the same, it will be able to maximize the production of electricity and the infrastructure will help in the achievement of the optimum distribution of the same. India aims to become a country which has power supply reaching every corner within the next few years.