In Short : India’s renewable energy sector has achieved a four-fold growth, increasing its share in electricity generation from 3% in 2014 to 12% in 2023, driven by solar (70+ GW) and wind (43+ GW) capacity additions. Competitive tariffs (₹1.99/unit) and policy support, including the PLI scheme, fueled this expansion. As the world’s fourth-largest renewable energy market, India now advances toward its 500 GW by 2030 target, overcoming grid integration and storage challenges.
In Detail : India has achieved a remarkable clean energy milestone, with renewable sources now contributing 12% of total electricity generation – a four-fold increase from just 3% in 2014. This rapid transformation highlights the country’s accelerating shift towards sustainable power, positioning it as a global leader in energy transition. The progress reflects consistent policy support and substantial investments in green infrastructure over the past decade.
Solar energy has been the primary driver of this growth, with installed capacity skyrocketing from a mere 2.6 GW in 2014 to over 70 GW today. Wind power has also shown steady expansion, growing from 21 GW to 43 GW during the same period. These developments have made India the world’s fourth-largest renewable energy market, surpassing several developed nations in clean energy adoption.
The government’s strategic initiatives have played a crucial role in this transformation. Competitive bidding processes have driven solar tariffs down to record lows of ₹1.99 per unit, making renewables increasingly cost-competitive with conventional power. The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar manufacturing has further boosted domestic production capabilities, reducing import dependence.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain in fully integrating variable renewable energy into the national grid. The intermittent nature of solar and wind power requires significant investments in energy storage solutions and grid modernization. Experts emphasize the need for advanced battery technologies and pumped hydro storage to ensure grid stability as renewable penetration increases.
Looking ahead, India has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Achieving this goal would require maintaining the current growth momentum while addressing infrastructure bottlenecks. If successful, renewables could account for nearly 40% of India’s electricity generation by the end of the decade.
This clean energy transition is not just about meeting climate commitments but also enhancing energy security and creating new economic opportunities. The renewable sector has already generated thousands of jobs and attracted substantial foreign investment, positioning India as a key player in the global green energy economy while powering its own sustainable development.
