India has crossed a critical clean energy milestone by generating half of its total installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources — five years ahead of its 2030 commitment. The country now derives 242.8 GW out of 484.8 GW from clean energy technologies, signalling accelerated progress toward its green transition goals.
A global climate commitment delivered early
This development aligns with India’s international pledge to increase the share of non-fossil sources in its energy mix and strengthens its position as a proactive player in global climate action. The achievement also gives India a head start toward its broader target of reaching 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi praised the milestone, calling it a major leap toward building a sustainable Bharat by 2047. The announcement highlights the Modi government’s push for long-term energy security through green infrastructure.
What’s driving the clean energy surge?
The rapid expansion of solar and wind projects, policy reforms favouring green investments, and government incentives such as production-linked incentives (PLI) and green hydrogen missions have significantly contributed to the surge. Hydropower and nuclear also form key parts of the non-fossil energy portfolio.
Several Indian states have streamlined land acquisition, grid connectivity, and duty exemptions to attract investment in large-format renewable energy parks. These moves have helped ease bottlenecks in the value chain and fast-tracked installations.
Gaps still remain on the road to 2030
While hitting the 50% mark is a significant achievement, bridging the gap between installed capacity and actual generation remains a challenge. Experts caution that ensuring efficient grid integration, timely transmission upgrades, and storage capacity expansion will be key to sustaining this growth.
Nevertheless, with five years still left on the clock, India’s early success demonstrates that ambitious climate goals are not only possible but achievable — with the right mix of policy, investment, and vision.
This story was first covered by PTI.
