In Short : India installed a record 22 GW of renewable energy in H1 2025, led by 18.4 GW of solar capacity. Wind contributed 3.5 GW, and bioenergy added 250 MW. Driven by upcoming policy changes and storage demand, the country also awarded 7.6 GW of battery projects. India now derives 50% of its power capacity from non-fossil sources, reaching 234 GW.
In Detail : India achieved a major milestone in the first half of 2025 by installing a record 22 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity. This marks a 57% increase compared to the same period in 2024, signaling strong momentum in the country’s clean energy transition.
Of the total new capacity, solar power led the way with a massive addition of 18.4 GW. Wind energy followed with 3.5 GW, while bioenergy contributed around 250 megawatts. This surge reflects India’s growing reliance on renewables to meet rising energy demand.
A key driver of the installation rush was the upcoming change in Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) charges. Developers aimed to commission projects before increased tariffs come into effect, taking advantage of current exemptions to cut costs.
Battery energy storage also saw record activity during this period. India awarded 5.4 GW of solar-plus-storage projects and another 2.2 GW of standalone battery systems, making it the largest ever battery allocation in the country.
Despite the surge in renewables, coal still accounted for about 75% of total power generation in the first half of the year. However, non-hydro renewable sources recorded a 24% year-on-year rise in electricity output, leading growth in power generation.
India now derives half of its total installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources. This milestone places the country ahead of schedule in meeting its 2030 target for clean energy expansion.
Experts caution that further growth will require continued grid modernization and large-scale energy storage deployment. Without these upgrades, reliance on coal may persist to ensure supply stability during peak demand.
Looking ahead, India is expected to add around 32 GW of renewable capacity by the end of 2025. While this signals strong progress, balancing clean energy growth with power system resilience remains a top priority for policymakers and industry players.
