India’s RE Capacity Jumps 170 Percent in a Decade, Ranks 4th Globally in Installed RE Capacity

India’s renewable energy sector has undergone a transformative decade, emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy markets.

According to the  'Renewable Energy Statistics 2024–25' released by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the country’s total installed power generation capacity stood at 475.21 GW as of March 31, 2025, marking a sharp 72 percent rise compared to 2014–15 levels. The renewable energy segment, in particular, recorded an extraordinary 170.69 percent growth over the past ten years, with solar, wind, bioenergy, and small hydro sources collectively expanding more than threefold.

During 2024–25 alone, India added a record 29.53 GW of renewable capacity, far surpassing the 3.72 GW installed under non-renewable sources. Renewables now account for 46.32 percent of the country’s total power capacity, while non-fossil sources together contribute 48.04 percent. The report highlights that India’s clean energy progress has positioned it among the global leaders in renewables. As per the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)’s Renewable Energy Statistics 2025, India ranks fourth globally in total renewable installed capacity and third in solar capacity, reflecting its rising global influence in the transition to clean power.

The report further reveals that India’s total electricity generation reached 1,824.12 billion units (BU) in 2024–25, a 65 percent increase from a decade earlier. Renewable sources contributed 403.64 BU, representing over 22 percent of total power generation. Solar energy remains the primary growth driver, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.13 percent since 2014–15. With this, India has become the fifth-largest renewable electricity producer globally and the third-largest in solar generation.

At the state level, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra continue to spearhead India’s green energy expansion, collectively accounting for more than 63 percent of the country’s total renewable capacity. Rajasthan maintained its lead with 34.14 GW of installed renewable capacity, 83 percent of which comes from solar power. It also topped the list in electricity generation with 57.35 BU, nearly 14 percent of India’s renewable output. Gujarat followed with 33.39 GW, bolstered by strong solar and wind installations, while Tamil Nadu ranked third with 25.24 GW, retaining its position as a wind energy hub. Karnataka and Maharashtra rounded out the top five contributors, driving consistent growth in both capacity and generation.

The MNRE’s policy framework and flagship initiatives have been instrumental in driving this expansion. The PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar scheme, aims to power one crore households by 2027, promoting accessible solar adoption across India. Complementary schemes such as PM-KUSUM, focused on solar pumps and renewable power for agriculture, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, designed to make India a global hub for green hydrogen, have reinforced the country’s renewable ecosystem. The government has also introduced Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support for 1,000 MW offshore wind projects and launched initiatives like the Model Solar Village programme to establish one solar-powered village in every district. Furthermore, a dedicated Solar Power Scheme for Tribal Habitations under PM JANMAN aims to electrify remote and tribal areas.

India’s commitment to bioenergy has also been strengthened through revisions to the National Bioenergy Programme, which now includes enhanced Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for biomass pellet and briquette manufacturing. This move supports the circular economy and encourages the use of agricultural residues for energy production.

Globally, the renewable energy landscape mirrors India’s momentum. As of December 2024, worldwide renewable energy capacity reached 4,442.76 GW, up from just 29.5 percent of total installed capacity in 2014 to 46.2 percent in 2024. The year 2024 alone saw a record 581.86 GW of renewable capacity added, more than ten times the capacity installed from non-renewable sources, which stood at 55.66 GW. Solar power emerged as the dominant technology, growing from 225.72 GW in 2015 to 1,866.31 GW by 2024, while wind energy expanded from 416.39 GW to 1,132.66 GW.

Asia led this global surge, adding 1,651.77 GW of renewable capacity between 2016 and 2024, underscoring its position as the heart of the clean energy revolution. China remains the world leader with 1,817.96 GW of installed renewable capacity, followed by the United States at 427.89 GW, Brazil at 213.86 GW, and India at 204.48 GW, with Germany close behind at 178.65 GW. Together, these top five countries account for around 64 percent of the world’s total renewable installations.

Over the past five years, renewables have driven nearly 80 percent of global capacity additions, highlighting the sector’s growing dominance. For India, the past decade has been nothing short of transformative. With nearly half of its total installed capacity now sourced from non-fossil fuels, the nation is firmly on track toward its 500 GW renewable capacity target by 2030, cementing its role as a global frontrunner in the transition to sustainable energy.