India has made remarkable strides in its journey toward a sustainable future, achieving exceptional progress in the renewable energy (RE) sector. In 2024, the country witnessed historic growth in solar and wind energy installations, policy reforms, and infrastructure development, laying the foundation for ambitious targets in 2025. With a goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030, India is solidifying its position as a global leader in clean energy. As of January 20, 2025, India’s total non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity has reached 217.62 GW.
2024, India added 24.5 GW of solar energy and 3.4 GW of wind energy capacity, representing more than a twofold increase in solar installations and a 21% rise in wind energy compared to 2023. This growth was driven by government incentives, policy reforms, and increased investment in domestic solar panel and wind turbine manufacturing.
Solar energy remained the dominant contributor, accounting for 47% of the total installed renewable energy capacity in 2024. The year saw the addition of 18.5 GW of utility-scale solar energy, a 2.8x increase compared to 2023. Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu emerged as top-performing states, contributing 71% of utility-scale solar installations.
The rooftop solar sector also showed significant growth, with 4.59 GW of new capacity added in 2024, marking a 53% increase from 2023. The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in 2024, played a pivotal role in this expansion, enabling 700,000 rooftop solar installations within just ten months.
Growth in Wind Energy and Off-Grid Solar Energy: India's off-grid solar segment recorded a remarkable 182% increase, adding 1.48 GW in 2024, thereby advancing energy access in rural areas. Meanwhile, 3.4 GW of new wind energy capacity was added, with Gujarat (1,250 MW), Karnataka (1,135 MW), and Tamil Nadu (980 MW) accounting for 98% of the total additions.
Development of Green Hydrogen: The government emphasized the development of green hydrogen policies to reduce costs and attract investment in this emerging sector. Efforts were also made to boost domestic manufacturing of solar PV panels and wind turbines, positioning India as a global hub for renewable energy manufacturing.
Improvements in Grid Infrastructure: Significant investments were proposed in inter-state transmission systems to facilitate power evacuation from renewable energy-rich states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
