Decarbonization of India's Power Sector Requires Structural and Regulatory Reforms

India has declared its intent to intensify its climate action by communicating its updated Nationally Determined Contribution and raising its target for non-fossil fuel generation capacity to 50% of the total electricity generation capacity by 2030. Since the State-owned electricity distribution utilities (DISCOMs) that distribute 95% of the electricity in India are not capable of fulfilling these decarbonization targets, this study presents the evidence related to the governance deficit in the DISCOMs and the lacunae in the regulatory framework and provides policy recommendations validated through stakeholder consultations. The timely implementation of these recommendations is critical to decarbonize India’s power sector