Integrated National Energy Framework (INEF)

The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) has highlighted the need for a Unified National Energy Framework, known as the Integrated National Energy Framework (INEF), to bring together India's fragmented energy policies under a single strategic vision. The framework seeks to align energy security, economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity, while supporting the national goals of energy self-reliance by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070.

India’s Current Energy Scenario

Rapid Growth in the Energy Sector

• India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing energy markets in the world.

• One of the landmark achievements has been the successful implementation of the Saubhagya Scheme, which enabled universal household electrification, ensuring that almost every household in the country has access to electricity.

• Similarly, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has significantly expanded access to clean cooking fuel, reducing dependence on traditional biomass and improving public health.

• India has also witnessed an unprecedented expansion of renewable energy capacity, increasing from nearly 40 GW in 2015 to approximately 260 GW in 2025.

• Today, India is recognized as the world’s third-largest producer of renewable energy, reflecting its growing leadership in the global clean energy transition.

India’s Long-Term Energy Commitments

• India has committed itself to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity by 2030 and attaining net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070.

• To achieve these objectives, the Government has launched several major initiatives, including the National Green Hydrogen Mission, National Solar Mission, PM-KUSUM Scheme for solarization of agriculture, the National Biofuel Policy (2018), the FAME Scheme for electric mobility, the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the National Smart Grid Mission, the One Nation-One Grid Initiative, the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and the Panchamrit Commitments announced during COP26.

Existing Challenges

• Coal remains the primary source of baseload electricity generation and continues to play a crucial role in supporting industrial development and ensuring grid stability.

• At the same time, India remains dependent on imports for a substantial portion of its crude oil, natural gas, and certain critical minerals required for clean energy technologies.

• Rapid urbanization and industrial expansion have led to continuously rising energy demand, while fragmented governance across different ministries often results in overlapping policies and inefficient coordination.

• In addition, concerns regarding energy affordability, regional disparities, and unequal access to modern energy services continue to pose significant policy challenges.

Why India Needs an Integrated National Energy Framework (INEF)

Managing a Complex Energy System

• According to INSA, India's rapidly evolving energy landscape requires a single integrated framework capable of coordinating multiple energy sources, technologies, institutions, and policy objectives.

• The proposed Integrated National Energy Framework (INEF) seeks to establish a comprehensive approach that ensures energy security, strengthens coordination among various stakeholders, promotes efficient resource utilization, and supports long-term planning for emerging technologies.

Balancing Multiple National Objectives

The framework recognizes that India's energy policy must simultaneously achieve multiple goals. It must ensure reliable energy supply, maintain affordable energy prices, promote economic competitiveness, encourage environmental sustainability, and support inclusive development.

Four Pillars of the Integrated National Energy Framework

1. Adequacy

• The first pillar focuses on ensuring the availability of reliable, diversified, and resilient energy supplies capable of meeting India's growing demand.

• Under this pillar, the framework advocates maintaining a balanced energy mix consisting of both conventional fuels and renewable energy sources.

• It also emphasizes strengthening energy transportation and transmission infrastructure, expanding energy storage capacity, and promoting the digitalization of energy management systems to improve efficiency and resilience.

2. Access

• The second pillar aims to guarantee equitable, reliable, and universal access to modern energy services for every citizen.

• The framework emphasizes strengthening last-mile electricity connectivity, improving the quality and reliability of power supply, expanding decentralized renewable energy systems, and ensuring continuous access to clean cooking fuel, particularly in rural and remote areas.

3. Affordability

• The third pillar recognizes that sustained economic growth requires affordable energy for households, agriculture, commerce, and industry.

• Accordingly, the framework seeks to strengthen consumer protection, improve the efficiency of energy markets, encourage financial innovation, and promote the cost-effective deployment of clean energy technologies without placing excessive financial burdens on consumers or industries.

4. Sustainability

• The fourth pillar promotes a model of sustainability that is tailored to India's developmental priorities rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

• It emphasizes region-specific transition strategies, supports communities dependent on coal and other fossil fuels, promotes skill development and workforce reskilling, and encourages environmentally responsible solutions that remain compatible with economic growth and poverty reduction.

Cross-Cutting Enablers

Circular Economy

The framework identifies the Circular Economy as an important enabling principle that promotes resource efficiency, minimizes waste generation, encourages recycling, and improves the sustainability of industrial production.

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)

Another important enabling technology is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), which involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from industrial facilities and power plants before they are released into the atmosphere.

The captured carbon can either be utilized in industrial processes or stored safely in geological formations, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusion

The Integrated National Energy Framework (INEF) proposed by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) provides a holistic roadmap for India's energy future. Rather than treating electricity, petroleum, coal, renewable energy, and emerging technologies as separate sectors, the framework integrates them into a single coordinated national strategy.