India to Surpass the US in the 2040s

India is poised to play a pivotal role in the global energy system, according to Shell India’s report titled “India’s Energy Transition in a Security Focused Age.” The report projects that India could surpass the United States in energy demand in the 2040s and overtake China by the 2060s. It noted that the share of conventional fuels in India’s energy mix is expected to peak during this decade before gradually declining.

The report further stated that India’s total energy demand could double over the next two to three decades. Driven by strong economic and population growth, the country’s energy consumption has already risen by 40 percent over the past decade. The share of solar and wind power in total electricity consumption has increased from around 3 percent in 2015 to over 20 percent currently and may exceed 59 percent by 2050. Demand for natural gas and LNG is projected to rise by 50 percent or more in the coming decade, supported by industrial expansion and AI-driven electricity consumption.