India crosses 300 GW in non-fossil fuel capacity

India has achieved a significant milestone in its green energy transition, crossing the 300 GW mark for installed non-fossil electricity capacity. This achievement represents over 54% of the country's total electricity generation capacity, currently around 552 GW. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced on Sunday that as of July 31, 2026, the nation's non-fossil fuel capacity stood at 300.50 GW. This includes substantial contributions from solar power (164.59 GW), wind power (58.14 GW), hydropower (57.24 GW), bio-power (11.75 GW), and nuclear power (8.78 GW).

The rapid expansion, particularly in the solar sector, underscores India's commitment to renewable energy. Solar capacity has surged from a mere 2.8 GW in 2014 to its current 164.59 GW. Similarly, wind power capacity has grown from approximately 21 GW to 58.14 GW over the same period. This growth is not just in installed capacity but also reflected in actual electricity generation, which has risen from 190.96 billion units in 2014-15 to 477.79 billion units in 2025-26. The pace of expansion is accelerating, with a record 55.29 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity added in the 2025-26 fiscal year alone.

This monumental achievement is backed by key government policy enablers, aiming to build an Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) energy ecosystem and secure the target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030. Initiatives like the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which promotes rooftop solar, and the PM-KUSUM scheme for the agriculture sector are driving this transition. Furthermore, the Union cabinet recently approved the 'Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana' (PM-SSY) to install floating solar panels across the country's reservoirs, envisaging 5,000 MW of capacity with mandatory storage.