India may be catching up with China in terms of GDP growth but it still lags far behind on electricity provision. The contrast between the two global heavyweights is stark: nearly 404m Indians currently live without any electricity at all, compared to 8m Chinese.

What’s more, while China is projected to achieve universal electrification by 2015, India won’t be fully electrified until 2030, according to an International Energy Agency report. Among Indians who do have access to electricity, the demand is increasing at breakneck speed. India’s increasing love for gadgets from mobile phones to laptops means that the country is using electricity at a record pace with demand set to more than double by 2030.

Improving energy access is key to India’s aspirations for double-digit economic growth. Kandeh Yumkella, director general of the United Nation Industrial Development Organisation said: “The lack of access to modern energy services is a serious hindrance to India’s economic and social development. But even those who do have electricity, only have around 100kw/hr per person per year which means they may have lights that function, but that is it. It is not enough.”