INDIA'S GREEN POWER CAPACITY

In 2015, energy sources like nuclear, large hydroelectric, and renewables contributed only 30% to India’s total installed power capacity. This figure grew to 38% by 2020 and saw a sharp increase over the next five years, mainly due to the surge in solar and wind energy installations.

By June 2025, India’s overall installed power capacity had reached 485 gigawatts (GW). Out of this, renewable sources — such as solar, wind, small hydro, and biogas — contributed 185 GW, according to a release from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Additionally, large hydro accounted for 49 GW and nuclear power contributed 9 GW, collectively pushing the share of non-fossil fuel sources slightly above the 50% mark. Thermal power, which primarily relies on coal and natural gas, continued to make up 242 GW — approximately 49.9% of the total capacity. Back in 2015, thermal power had represented about 70% of the energy mix.

As of 2024, India held the fourth position globally in terms of renewable energy capacity (including large hydro), trailing only behind China, the United States, and Brazil.

The increasing role of renewable energy in India’s power sector reflects a major transition, largely powered by the rapid growth of solar and wind energy. However, while the installed thermal capacity now forms less than half of the total, thermal energy remains dominant in actual electricity generation. This is because solar and wind power are variable and cannot provide continuous output, resulting in thermal sources still generating over 70% of the electricity.

Reducing the thermal share in actual energy generation — and achieving the national target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 — will require considerable improvements, starting with a more resilient and stable power grid

Solar Energy: Solar power is obtained by capturing the sun’s rays. It can be converted into electricity through photovoltaic (PV) panels or used to produce heat using solar thermal technologies. Given its limitless availability, solar energy is one of the most accessible renewable sources. Countries like China, the United States, India, and Japan lead globally in solar power generation.

Hydropower: This energy is produced by utilizing the kinetic force of moving water — typically from rivers, dams, or waterfalls. It is one of the earliest and most extensively adopted forms of clean energy.

Biomass Energy: Biomass comes from organic matter such as agricultural waste, animal manure, and wood. These materials can be burned or processed into biofuels in liquid or gas form, used for heating, power generation, or transportation. As the feedstock is renewable and can be replenished naturally, biomass is classified as a sustainable energy source.

Wind Energy: Wind turbines transform the motion of wind into electrical power. Both land-based (onshore) and sea-based (offshore) wind installations contribute significantly to renewable energy in nations such as China, India, and the United States.

Geothermal Energy: Geothermal power comes from the Earth’s internal heat, which may be accessed through natural hot springs or engineered systems. These underground heat sources, found at varying depths, are used to generate electricity or provide direct heating. Power plants typically use underground steam or hot water to operate turbines and generate electricity.

Tidal and Wave Energy: These energy forms tap into oceanic movements to produce power. Tidal energy is driven by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun, while wave energy captures the force of sea surface waves to generate electricity