India's Renewable Energy Capacity Surges to 197 GW, Solar and Wind Lead Growth

India has made substantial progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity, reaching a total installed capacity of 197 GW. This was revealed in the latest Central Electricity Authority's (CEA) report.

As of July 31, 2024, the report noted that the country’s monitored capacity stands at 181,159.88 MW, with renewable energy generation for July 2024 amounting to 43,530.87 million units (MU). While, the cumulative renewable energy generation from April to July 2024 reached 142,598.31 MU, reflecting a ~5.5 percent increase over the previous year.

Further, India’s renewable energy portfolio showcases significant contributions from multiple sources. Wind energy remains a major contributor, with an installed capacity of 47,075.43 MW. In July 2024, wind power generation totalled 13,627.00 MU, reflecting a 9 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase. Over the period from April to July 2024, wind energy contributed 36,748.80 MU, representing a modest 1 percent increase from the same period last year.
 

   (Courtesy:CEA)

However, Solar energy continues to demonstrate robust growth due to its ease of availability, with an installed capacity of 87,207.97 MW. Solar power generation reached 10,356.35 MU in July 2024, showing a substantial 23 percent YoY increase. As per the report, from April to July 2024, solar energy generated 46,469.05 MU, which is a 19 percent rise compared to the previous year, underscoring its growing role in India's energy mix.

Biomass energy, with an installed capacity of 10,355.35 MW, generated 284.12 MU in July 2024, reflecting a 9 percent YoY increase. However, cumulative biomass generation from April to July 2024 slightly decreased by ~3 percent YoY, totalling 1,131.44 MU. Bagasse, with an installed capacity of 132.36 MW, produced 109.64 MU in July 2024, although the overall trend indicates a decline in generation compared to previous periods.

Small hydropower, another important contributor to India's renewable energy mix, has an installed capacity of 5,036.75 MW. It generated 1,323.02 MU in July 2024, marking a 6 percent YoY increase. Over the April to July 2024 period, small hydropower generated 3,427.39 MU, up by 3 percent YoY. Large hydropower remains the most significant source of renewable energy in India, with an installed capacity of 46,928.17 MW. In July 2024, large hydropower generation amounted to 17,562.91 MU, a slight decrease of 2 percent YoY. For the period from April to July 2024, it generated 52,441.16 MU, reflecting a marginal decrease of 0.01% compared to the previous year.

Other sources, including waste heat recovery and other forms of renewable energy, have a combined installed capacity of 600.86 MW, generating 245.11 MU in July 2024, representing a 6 percent YoY increase. From April to July 2024, these sources contributed 961.32 MU, up by 4 percent YoY. The report further highlights India’s overall energy generation trends.

 

   (Courtesy:CEA)

As per the CEA report, in July 2024, the country generated a total of 160.90 billion units (BU) of electricity. Thermal power remained the dominant source, contributing 111.41 BU, which accounted for 69.24 percent of the total generation. Renewable energy sources collectively contributed 43.53 BU, or 27.05 percent of the total. Within the renewable category, large hydropower accounted for 17.56 BU (10.92 percent), wind power contributed 13.63 BU (8.47 percent), and solar power added 10.36 BU (6.44 percent). Small hydropower and biomass, along with bagasse and waste heat, contributed 1.32 BU (0.82 percent) and 0.66 BU (0.41 percent), respectively. The import of hydroelectric power from Bhutan added another 1.17 BU, representing 0.73 percent of the total energy generated.

   (Courtesy:CEA)

For the cumulative period from April to July 2024, India’s total energy generation was 646.24 BU. Thermal energy dominated with 483.82 BU, making up 74.87 percent of the total. Renewable energy sources collectively contributed 142.60 BU, or 22.07 percent of the total. Among these, large hydropower remained the largest contributor, generating 52.44 BU (8.11 percent), followed by solar energy at 46.47 BU (7.19 percent), and wind energy at 36.75 BU (5.69 percent). Small hydropower generated 3.43 BU (0.53 percent), while biomass, bagasse, and waste heat accounted for 3.51 BU (0.54 percent). Nuclear energy contributed 17.91 BU (2.77 percent), and hydroelectric imports from Bhutan provided 1.91 BU (0.30 percent).

It may be said that India’s steady growth in renewable energy generation reflects the nation's commitment to diversifying its energy mix and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. With substantial increases in solar and wind power, alongside stable contributions from hydroelectric sources, India continues to make significant strides toward achieving its renewable energy targets and enhancing energy security.