Post by : Meena Ariff

India has reached a major milestone in its energy transition journey, as non-fossil fuels now account for half of the country’s installed energy capacity. This achievement comes years ahead of India’s original target under the Paris Agreement, which aimed for this milestone by 2030. Renewable energy sources—including solar, wind, hydro, and biomass—now constitute 50 percent of India’s total installed energy capacity. This landmark achievement was celebrated by the Minister of Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi.

“This is a landmark in India’s energy transition journey,” Joshi said. “Achieving this target five years early demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to clean energy and its long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070.”

The announcement reflects India’s growing role in global climate action and underscores the government’s efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure across the country. India has invested in large solar farms in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, alongside smaller rooftop solar projects in urban and rural areas. Wind energy projects have also grown rapidly, especially in coastal states, while hydro and biomass projects provide additional support to meet energy demands.

Renewable Capacity vs Actual Power Generation

While achieving 50 percent renewable energy capacity is significant, experts caution that installed capacity does not always reflect actual electricity generation. Avantika Goswami, a climate expert at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in New Delhi, explained that although India has expanded its renewable energy infrastructure, the actual share of electricity produced from renewable sources remains lower than the installed capacity suggests.

“Installed capacity tells only part of the story,” Goswami said. “Even though we have more renewable energy systems in place, the actual contribution to daily electricity generation is still relatively low.”

Currently, nearly three-quarters of India’s electricity is still generated from coal-fired power plants. Coal remains one of the most polluting energy sources, emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants. The discrepancy between installed renewable capacity and actual power generation highlights the ongoing challenges India faces in moving toward a cleaner energy system.

The Coal Paradox

Despite the rapid growth of renewable energy, India’s dependence on coal remains high. Coal production increased by five percent last year, reaching one billion tonnes, according to the coal ministry. The ministry emphasized that coal continues to play an essential role in meeting the country’s energy demands, particularly for industries such as steel, cement, and other heavy manufacturing sectors.

“Coal continues to be a key contributor to India’s energy mix, supplying over 74 percent of electricity and supporting important industries,” the ministry stated, describing this period as a “coal boom.”

The continued reliance on coal illustrates the practical challenges of India’s energy transition. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are intermittent—they produce electricity only when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. Until energy storage technology and grid management systems improve, coal-fired power plants remain necessary to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply.

Energy Transition Challenges

India faces a delicate balancing act as it navigates its energy transition. On one hand, the country is investing heavily in renewable energy infrastructure and expanding cleaner technologies. On the other hand, coal continues to meet the majority of electricity demand and sustains critical industries.

The government is actively investing in advanced energy storage solutions, modernizing the electricity grid, and promoting the integration of renewable energy into the power system. However, completely moving away from coal is not yet feasible due to the scale of India’s electricity demand and the current limitations in storage and grid infrastructure.

Coal provides a dependable supply of electricity that renewable energy cannot always guarantee. During periods of high demand—such as peak summer hours—or cloudy, windless days, solar and wind energy alone cannot meet the nation’s electricity needs. In such situations, coal-fired power plants step in to ensure that homes, businesses, and industries continue to function without interruption.

The achievement of 50 percent renewable energy capacity represents an important step for India in reducing its carbon footprint and developing a sustainable energy future. Solar, wind, and hydro projects continue to expand, creating jobs, reducing emissions, and strengthening India’s energy security.

However, the country’s ongoing reliance on coal indicates that the transition to a fully clean energy system will be gradual. Experts emphasize that improving energy storage capacity, enhancing grid efficiency, and gradually reducing coal use are key measures for meeting India’s long-term climate targets. Investments in battery storage, smart grids, and hybrid energy systems will allow renewable energy to supply a larger share of electricity demand in the coming years.