India’s renewable energy sector has made significant strides between November 2023 and November 2024, with major capacity additions and a clear commitment to meeting its clean energy targets under the ‘Panchamrit’ framework outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) reports strong progress, reflecting India’s growing focus on sustainable energy solutions and its drive to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Record capacity additions: Non-Fossil Fuel capacity surges by 14.2%
As of November 2024, India’s total non-fossil fuel installed capacity reached 213.70 GW, a notable 14.2% increase from 2023’s 187.05 GW. The total capacity, including installed and pipeline projects, surged to 472.90 GW, marking a significant 28.5% year-on-year growth from 368.15 GW in 2023.
In fiscal year 2024-25, India added 14.94 GW of renewable energy (RE) capacity, almost double the 7.54 GW added during the same period in 2023-24. November 2024 alone saw 2.3 GW of new capacity, a remarkable fourfold increase from the 566 MW added in November 2023.
Solar and Wind power lead the growth
India’s solar and wind energy sectors have driven much of the progress. Solar power capacity saw a robust 30.2% growth, increasing from 72.31 GW in 2023 to 94.17 GW in 2024. When including pipeline projects, total solar capacity reached 261.15 GW, a 52.7% jump from 171.10 GW in 2023. Wind power also saw solid growth, with installed capacity rising 7.6% from 44.56 GW in 2023 to 47.96 GW in 2024. Total wind capacity, including pipeline projects, increased by 17.4%, reaching 74.44 GW compared to 63.41 GW the previous year.
Steady contributions from Bioenergy, Hydro, and Nuclear sectors
Other renewable sources also showed steady growth. Bioenergy capacity increased by 4.6%, from 10.84 GW in 2023 to 11.34 GW in 2024. Small hydro projects saw a modest rise from 4.99 GW in 2023 to 5.08 GW in 2024, with total capacity, including pipeline projects, reaching 5.54 GW.
Large hydroelectric projects experienced slight growth, with installed capacity increasing from 46.88 GW in 2023 to 46.97 GW in 2024. Total hydro capacity, including pipeline projects, grew to 67.02 GW from 64.85 GW last year. In nuclear energy, installed capacity grew from 7.48 GW in 2023 to 8.18 GW in 2024, while total nuclear capacity remained steady at 22.48 GW.
Government’s push to strengthen energy security
These advancements highlight the Indian government’s ongoing efforts to scale up renewable energy capacity and reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. Under the leadership of Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been implementing key initiatives to accelerate the growth of the renewable energy sector, supporting India’s climate commitments and enhancing national energy security.
As the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, India’s commitment to transitioning to renewable energy is pivotal in the global fight against climate change. With increasing investments and continuous policy support, the country is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable energy production.
These results are a significant step towards achieving India’s clean energy goals, as outlined in the ‘Panchamrit’ climate action framework, and reaffirm the nation’s determination to fulfill its ambitious renewable energy targets in the years ahead.
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