Telangana Sets Ambitious 139 GW Power Target by 2047, Eyes $3 Trillion Economy
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Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has unveiled a comprehensive plan to achieve 139,310 MW (139 GW) of electricity generation by 2047. This ambitious target aims to support the state's goal of becoming a $3 trillion economy. According to Vikramarka, who also holds the energy portfolio, Telangana needs to grow its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at 30% annually. To achieve this, electricity consumption must increase by at least 10% every year. Based on these calculations, the state will require over 139,310 MW of power capacity by 2047. Currently, Telangana's installed power generation capacity stands at 27,769 MW. To meet the 139 GW target, the state needs to maintain an annual economic growth rate of 13% and a 10% increase in power demand. However, the Central Electricity Authority projects an annual growth rate of 9%, which could result in a 20% deficit over the next decade. To address this challenge, the state government is focusing on renewable energy, aiming to boost solar, wind, and hydel capacities. This strategy aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut costs, and promote climate sustainability. Telangana is also planning to expand its green energy generation to mitigate future power shortages. The state currently faces a deficit of 780 MW in the solar power sector and nearly 4,000 MW in energy storage capacity. Without substantial planning for energy storage infrastructure, Telangana could face an overall deficit of 8,500 MW. Vikramarka emphasized the importance of energy storage for round-the-clock power, citing the need for both battery-energy storage systems (BESS) and pumped storage projects (PSP). A grid collapse in Telangana would result in significant economic losses, estimated at ₹1,500–2,000 crore per day. The deputy chief minister stressed the need for a diversified energy mix, including wind power, which has the potential to generate up to 25 GW. Future plans will focus on exploiting this potential to support the state's energy goals.
