2024 Achievements & 2025 Roadmap
As India accelerates its transition towards a sustainable future, its renewable energy (RE) sector has witnessed unprecedented growth. In 2024, the country made significant strides in solar and wind energy installations, policy advancements, and infrastructural improvements. This progress set the stage for ambitious targets in 2025. With a commitment to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030, India is emerging as a global leader in clean energy. As of January 20, 2025, India’s total non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity has reached an impressive 217.62 GW.
This substantial growth is evident in various large-scale solar and wind projects across the country. For instance, the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, one of the largest solar power plants in the world, contributes significantly to this capacity with its ability to generate over 2,245 MW of solar energy. Additionally, India’s commitment to renewable energy can be seen in initiatives like the Saur Sujala Yojana, which promotes solar water pumps for farmers, enhancing their productivity while reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels. Such advancements not only highlight India’s progress toward achieving its renewable energy targets but also demonstrate its dedication to sustainable development and combating climate change.
Solar and Wind Capacities
The year 2024 saw a record-breaking 24.5 GW of solar capacity and 3.4 GW of wind capacity added. This reflects a more than twofold increase in solar installations and a 21% rise in wind installations compared to 2023. This surge was driven by government incentives, policy reforms. Also, increased investments in domestic solar and wind turbine manufacturing contributed to this rise.
Solar energy remained the dominant contributor to India’s renewable energy growth. It accounts for 47% of the total installed renewable energy capacity. Last year saw the installation of 18.5 GW of utility-scale solar capacity, a nearly 2.8x increase compared to 2023. Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu emerged as the top-performing states. They contributed 71% of India’s total utility-scale solar installations.
Rooftop Solar sector
The rooftop solar sector also experienced significant growth in 2024, with 4.59 GW of new capacity installed. This marks a 53% increase from the year 2023. Markedly, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in 2024, played a crucial role in this expansion. It facilitated 7 lakh rooftop solar installations within ten months. Additionally, the off-grid solar segment recorded a 182% increase, adding 1.48 GW in 2024. This development furthered India’s energy access goals in rural areas.
India added 3.4 GW of new wind capacity in 2024. Gujarat (1,250 MW), Karnataka (1,135 MW), and Tamil Nadu (980 MW) led the way. All in all, these states accounted for 98% of the new wind capacity additions, highlighting their continued dominance in wind power generation.
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) played a pivotal role in fostering RE growth through policy interventions and financial support. Key highlights include:
Green Hydrogen Push. The government actively pursued the development of green hydrogen policies to reduce costs and attract investments in this emerging sector.
Manufacturing Expansion. Domestic solar PV and wind turbine manufacturing were scaled up. Consequently, this will support India’s ambition to become a global RE manufacturing hub.
Grid Infrastructure Development. The MNRE proposed significant investments in inter-state transmission systems to evacuate power from renewable-rich states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
To sum up, India’s renewable energy sector is on a transformative journey, with 2024 marking a year of record capacity additions and policy advancements. As the country moves into 2025, addressing regulatory, financial, and infrastructural challenges will be crucial. With continued policy support, increased investment, and a focus on emerging technologies, India is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets and solidify its status as a global leader in the clean energy transition.
References
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
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