Wednesday 05 / February / 2025
India stands at the forefront of a global renewable energy transformation, making remarkable strides in clean energy and leading the way toward a sustainable future. In 2024, the country’s renewable energy (RE) sector achieved unprecedented milestones, solidifying its position as one of the largest and most ambitious renewable power markets worldwide.
Driven by bold policies, cutting-edge technologies, and robust government backing, India is rapidly transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, with solar and wind power taking centre stage.
India’s commitment to achieving 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030 underscores its determination to lead the global fight against climate change.
As of January 2025, the country has already reached a total of 217.62 GW in non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity, a significant milestone that highlights India’s focused efforts to meet both its domestic energy demands and its international climate goals.
Recent Ground-Breaking Achievements
India’s renewable energy sector achieved remarkable growth in 2024, with the country adding an impressive 24.5 GW of solar capacity and 3.4 GW of wind capacity. This marked a significant leap forward compared to the previous year, especially in solar power, which saw a more than twofold increase in capacity, positioning India as a global leader in solar installations.
Wind power also continued to gain momentum, with a 21% rise in installed capacity from 2023. These remarkable achievements highlight the success of India’s progressive policies, financial incentives, and a growing emphasis on domestic manufacturing to bolster the renewable energy industry.
Solar power continues to be the backbone of India’s renewable energy achievements. By the end of 2024, solar energy accounted for an impressive 47% of the country’s total installed renewable energy capacity.
A standout moment in the year was the installation of 18.5 GW of utility-scale solar capacity, marking a nearly 2.8-fold increase from 2023. This remarkable growth was primarily driven by large-scale solar projects in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, which together contributed 71% of the total utility-scale solar installations. These states have become hubs of solar development, leveraging their expansive landscapes and abundant sunlight to tap into the full potential of solar energy.
India’s rooftop solar sector also experienced notable growth in 2024. With the installation of 4.59 GW of rooftop solar capacity, the sector saw a 53% increase from the previous year. This surge was driven by both residential and commercial customers eager to reduce their dependence on the grid and cut electricity costs.
The launch of the government’s PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in 2024 has been instrumental in accelerating rooftop solar adoption, enabling the installation of over 700,000 solar systems within just ten months. This initiative, which aims to provide affordable solar power to households across India, has been transformative in expanding access to clean energy, especially in rural and underserved regions.
Empowering Rural India: The Off-Grid Solar Growth
One of the most promising aspects of India’s renewable energy revolution is its focus on extending energy access to remote and off-grid communities. In 2024, the off-grid solar sector experienced an impressive 182% growth, with 1.48 GW of new capacity added. This remarkable growth reflects India’s commitment to addressing energy poverty, particularly in rural areas where grid infrastructure is often lacking or nonexistent.
Off-grid solar systems, from small home setups to larger micro grids, are transforming lives by providing reliable electricity for lighting, irrigation, education, and healthcare in regions previously without consistent power. The expansion of off-grid solar is not only improving living standards but also contributing to India’s broader objectives of reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
Wind Power: A Continued Force For Clean Energy
The wind power has played a vital role alongside solar energy in India’s renewable energy mix. In 2024, the country added 3.4 GW of new wind capacity, further strengthening its position as one of the world’s largest wind markets.
States like Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu led the charge, contributing 98% of the new wind capacity. Gujarat, in particular, emerged as a leader, adding 1,250 MW of new capacity in 2024. This underscores the importance of regional collaboration and innovation in driving India’s renewable energy success. As these states continue to tap into their wind potential, they are helping to complement the intermittency of solar power, contributing to a more stable and reliable renewable energy grid.
India’s wind energy sector is set for continued growth, with several large-scale wind farms currently under development. The country’s abundant wind resources, coupled with increasing investments in turbine technology and grid integration, place India in a strong position to significantly expand its wind capacity in the coming years.
Wind energy will remain a key component of India’s strategy to achieve its renewable energy targets and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, further accelerating the country’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Policy Framework and Government Support
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been instrumental in shaping India’s renewable energy landscape. Through strategic policies, financial incentives, and regulatory reforms, the government has created an environment that supports rapid growth in the sector.
A notable achievement in 2024 was the government’s increased focus on green hydrogen, which is seen as a vital solution for decarbonizing sectors that are hard to electrify, such as heavy transportation and industrial manufacturing. By championing green hydrogen, India aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and establish itself as a global leader in this emerging field.
India has also made significant progress in expanding its domestic manufacturing of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines. By ramping up local production, the country is reducing its dependence on imports while simultaneously creating jobs and strengthening its manufacturing sector.
The government’s push to position India as a global renewable energy manufacturing hub is evident in the growth of the solar and wind industries, which are drawing increased investments from both domestic and international stakeholders. This shift not only supports India’s renewable energy goals but also boosts its position in the global green energy market.
Additionally, the MNRE has prioritized enhancing grid infrastructure to ensure that renewable energy generated in solar- and wind-rich states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh can be efficiently transmitted across the country.
Investments in inter-state transmission systems and smart grid technologies are crucial in overcoming the challenges of integrating variable renewable energy sources into the grid. These efforts are helping to ensure a stable and reliable power supply, facilitating the seamless distribution of clean energy to meet India’s growing demand while maintaining grid stability.
India’s Renewable Energy Future
India’s renewable energy sector is on an exciting path, with 2024 marking a year of remarkable growth and achievements. As the country moves into 2025, the focus will shift toward overcoming the challenges associated with scaling up renewable energy even further. Key priorities will include addressing regulatory bottlenecks, securing financing for large-scale projects, and enhancing grid infrastructure to facilitate the integration of renewable energy. These efforts will be crucial in ensuring that India continues its transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future while meeting its ambitious renewable energy targets.
The government’s ambitious goal of reaching 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030 is within reach, but it will require sustained investment, innovation, and international collaboration.
India’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy capacity, along with its leadership in clean energy technologies, positions the country as a global frontrunner in the clean energy transition.
In conclusion, India’s renewable energy revolution is not just about increasing capacity; it’s about fundamentally transforming the way the country produces and consumes energy. With a clear roadmap, robust policy support, and a growing emphasis on innovation and manufacturing, India is well on its way to becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse. Its efforts are setting a powerful example for other nations to follow in the pursuit of a sustainable and carbon-free future.
