In a landmark achievement underscoring India’s commitment to clean energy and climate action, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, announced that the country has attained 50% of its total installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of the 2030 target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) committed at the Paris Climate Agreement.
Speaking at the IVCA Renewable Energy Summit 2025 in Mumbai, the Minister stated, “We have achieved 50 per cent of total installed energy capacity through renewable energy. We were supposed to achieve this by 2030, but have done it ahead of schedule.” He attributed the milestone to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose direction India has emerged as a global leader in clean and sustainable energy.
As of June 2025, India’s total installed power generation capacity stands at 484.8 GW, out of which 234 GW comes from renewable energy sources, including large hydropower projects. When combined with 8.7 GW of nuclear capacity, non-fossil fuel sources now contribute to just over 50% of the national energy mix. The remaining capacity—approximately 242 GW—is still powered by thermal sources, primarily coal.
“In a world seeking climate solutions, India is showing the way,” Joshi said in a post on social media platform X, crediting the accomplishment to Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to “Bharat’s green transformation towards a sustainable future.”
The Minister also visited IIT Bombay, where he commended the institution’s research and innovation in the field of energy. “I came to IIT Bombay because it has done very good work. I congratulate the entire team, and I am happy that the funds have been well utilised for research and development,” he said. Joshi emphasised that the central government is providing substantial funding to institutions and start-ups addressing key challenges such as productivity enhancement and grid stability.
India’s clean energy journey has significantly accelerated under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. In 2015, he revised the country’s clean energy ambition from 2,000 MW to 175 GW by 2022, and at the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021, announced a target of 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. The country’s energy policy has since shifted focus from only solar and wind to also include hydropower, nuclear, green hydrogen, and geothermal energy, aiming for energy security and sustainable economic growth.
While the renewable energy sector has grown rapidly, especially solar power, reports from global think-tanks such as IEEFA highlight continuing challenges. India’s electricity grid remains reliant on coal for meeting evening peak demand, leading to emissions and price volatility. Experts suggest that energy storage solutions and demand-side management are critical to bridging this gap. Nonetheless, India’s early achievement of its 2030 renewable energy target marks a significant step forward in global climate leadership, showcasing the country’s determination to foster a cleaner, greener, and more resilient energy future.