Context
At the Bonn Climate Conference, Turkey proposed a global target of meeting at least 35% of total energy demand through electricity by 2035, highlighting the critical role of electrification in achieving global climate objectives.
Understanding Electrification
Electrification refers to the replacement of direct fossil-fuel use with electricity across sectors such as transport, industry, cooking, and heating.
It is central to the energy transition because most low-carbon energy sources, including solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear power, generate electricity. Therefore, deep decarbonisation depends on both expanding clean electricity generation and increasing its use across end-use sectors.
Current Status
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA):
- Electricity accounted for about 21% of global Total Final Energy Consumption (TFEC) in 2025.
- India’s share stood at approximately 23%, indicating significant scope for further electrification.
- Despite substantial growth in electricity generation, its share in overall final energy consumption has increased only gradually.
Challenges to Electrification
Electrification remains uneven across sectors due to technological, infrastructural, and economic constraints.
- Aviation and shipping
- Heavy-duty and long-haul transport
- Iron and steel production
- Cement manufacturing
- Glass and ceramics industries
- Certain heating applications
These sectors often require high-temperature processes or energy-dense fuels for which commercially viable electric alternatives are still limited.
The Clean Electricity Challenge
Electrification alone cannot deliver meaningful emission reductions unless electricity is generated from clean sources.
- Around 42% of global electricity generation in 2025 came from non-fossil-fuel sources such as renewables, hydropower, and nuclear energy.
- Consequently, fossil fuels continue to dominate global energy consumption.
This demonstrates that expanding electricity use alone is insufficient unless accompanied by a rapid increase in clean power generation.
Turkey’s Proposal
Turkey has proposed raising the global share of electricity in final energy consumption to 35% by 2035, based on a roadmap developed by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
According to IRENA, this level of electrification is necessary to keep the world on a pathway consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C under the Paris Agreement.
The proposal is expected to be discussed further at COP31.
Requirements for Achieving the Target
Achieving the proposed target will require:
- Increased investment in electricity infrastructure.
- Rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity.
- Large-scale deployment of battery storage systems.
- Modernisation of transmission and distribution networks.
- Greater electrification of transport and industrial sectors.
Progress may be affected by geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, energy-security concerns, and financing constraints.
Implications for India
Accelerated electrification can strengthen India’s energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, support electric mobility, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to its net-zero target of 2070.
However, achieving these objectives will require sustained investments in renewable energy, energy storage, smart grids, and industrial decarbonisation.
Conclusion
Electrification is a cornerstone of the global energy transition and essential for achieving long-term climate goals. However, its success will depend on the parallel expansion of clean power generation, modern energy infrastructure, and technological innovation in hard-to-abate sectors.
