India's Renewable Energy Capacity Jumps 16%

The renewable energy capacity of India has been increased to 15.84% in 2024. India's renewables sector has reached a new high with an addition of 15.84% in installed capacity for the year 2024. It stands at 209.44 GW in total, which means it had stood at 180.80 GW as on December 2023. It has emerged to be the highest grown renewable energy capacities in the country. It mainly includes solar and wind power. Highest Growth in Renewable Energy Capabilities In 2024, India added a record 28.64 GW of renewable energy capacity; a more than twofold jump from the 13.05 GW added in 2023. This is a very high increase that would indicate commitment by the country toward diversifying the sources of energy, securing energy while looking at the environment. Solar Power Leads Growth Expansion-wise, still largely dominated is the sector in the solar energy sector. It has added India 24.54 GW of power in the fiscal year 2024. Its total cumulative installed solar capacity has grown in an enormous quantum of 33.47% year-on-year. India as of December of the fiscal year 2024 achieved a solar capacity of about 97.86 GW so it continues keeping an excellent and dominant position of ranking in its name in that list of Top Global Solar power Markets. As part of the Indian renewable energy policy, the Government has made significant investment in setting up solar power capacities, even though the scale of investments at times has been enormous, since increasing sun energy plays a more integral part in India's energy transition. Growing wind power Another sector where renewable energy development of India has a mark is in wind energy as it installed 3.42 GW in 2024, bringing the total wind capacity to 48.16 GW, thereby growing by 7.64% from last year 2023. Indeed, the winds of India are very vital in its renewable mix, for this vast coastline is replete with untapped potential which can be exploited much more. Other Renewable Energy Sectors It increased other renewables too except for solar and wind as well. Bio-energy it moved up from 10.84 GW in the end of December 2023 to 11.35 GW in the end of December 2024. Increment here is at a marginal stage compared with that of solar and wind although it still meant quite a leap forward in terms of renewable capacity for India. Small Hydro power projects have marginally increased their capacities. They are adding 4.99 GW in the year 2023 to 5.10 GW in 2024. Though it is minimal, it is contribution towards diversified portfolio for renewables and help countrywide objectives regarding energy. Indian Renewable Energy Vision This growth in renewable energy forms part of the bigger dream the Indian government aims to achieve: 500 GW of renewable energy capacity is supposed to be reached by 2030. Initiatives taken up in this regard are by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and the one at the reins in the same department is Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Government Initiatives for Clean Energy Projects: The government has provided incentives, policy reforms, and infrastructural development support to clean energy projects. The initiatives have successfully steered the increase in renewable energy capacity. India is likely to achieve its ambitious energy targets in solar, wind, and other alternative sources of renewable energy. Challenges and Opportunities Despite remarkable growth in the renewable energy sector of India, several challenges remain. These include integration with the grid and storage solutions and also issues of land acquisition for large projects, among others. However, here lies the opportunity for innovative technologies, infrastructure, and policies. This helps India move toward achieving all commitments it has undertaken under the Paris Agreement. In this manner, it enhances its capability for clean energy to reduce carbon emission gradually and move ahead towards a clean energy system. Conclusion India has grown the renewable energy sector hugely in 2024 with solar power at the top. The country's installed renewable energy capacity is at 209.44 GW, which has grown 15.84% higher compared to last year. The country is working towards becoming a global leader in renewable energy by the end of 2030 to meet the target of 500 GW. It aims to grow further in solar, wind, and other sources of renewable. Source This report has been prepared using official data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, MNRE and reports from the renewable energy sector in India.