Energy Infrastructure in India

Energy has been the anchor as one of the most important link for sustainable economic growth and human development. The per capita energy consumption  is one of the key parameters used to assess the stage of economic and social development of any country. The  development of energy sector is an interplay of complex factors covering   policies and regulations, political and economic stability,  resources endowment, technology development and adoption, large capital investments on long gestation period projects, complex risk profiles, supporting goods and services sector, skilled and managerial manpower and various commercial and contractual aspects. Reaching energy to the end users need  development of huge supporting infrastructure covering railways and roadways, transmission and distribution grids, transmission and distribution pipelines, storages, marketing facilities among others. Growth of energy sector also ledas to extraction of natural resources and thus responsibilities for environment management and social aspects.

India is set to remain one of the top five energy consuming country as it continues with its economic growth programs, and its population of 1.24 billion strive to improve its standard of living. The question remains about the scale and speed at which India’s energy demand will expand. As per IEA, India is fourth largest energy consumer with over 4% of the world's total annual energy consumption and expected to be the third largest energy consumer by 2025 after USA and China with favorable economic and social developments.

The Twelfth Five Year Plan lays special emphasis on development of the infrastructure sector including energy, as the availability of quality infrastructure is important not only for sustaining high growth but also ensuring that the growth is inclusive.

Figure: India Global Ranking in terms of Energy Production and Consumption 

Source: IEA

India has a large energy sector which is growing rapidly. India is reasonably well endowed with primary and renewable energy resources. Coming years would witness huge investment in the energy sectors along the entire value chains and this will be led by public and private spending. Information and data on Indian energy sector is widely available from  large number of agencies however  India does not have any one agency , like EIA USA,  to issue comprehensive and authentic data on the sector .

Infraline has taken the first small step and is set to come out with first of its kind “Energy Infrastructure in India: A Reference Book”, covering Coal, Oil & Gas, Power and Renewable Sectors. The compendium mainly  includes maps, diagrams, and associated key statistics with minimal text. The compendium has been designed to act as a reference document for vast array of stakeholders to have high value first hand information on the setting of Indian energy sector. 

                              

                       Infraline Energy Oil & Gas Research Team