The possible role of fusion in the Indian energy system of the future

Already in the year 2050 India will be the most populated country in the world. Population growth and sustained economic growth will make India to one of the biggest economies in the world, consuming huge amounts of energy. The study shows that India would consume in 2100 a third of the global electricity demand of 2000. If no intervention are considered, coal will keep its position as dominant source in the electricity sector throughout the whole 21st century. This would result in tremendous CO₂ emissions. The picture changes completely, if stringent restrictions on CO₂ emissions are applied. In the case of strict emission reductions new technologies like fusion could make an inroad to the Indian energy system. Especially if it is assumed that the safety and environmental advantages of fusion compared to fission are accounted for.