The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced substantial advancements in India’s renewable energy capacity on Tuesday, revealing a record-setting increase over the past year that underscores the country’s commitment to sustainable development.

According to the latest data, India’s renewable energy capacity surged by 24.2 gigawatts, marking a 13.5 percent rise to 203.18 GW in October 2024 from 178.98 GW in October 2023 as part of India’s larger “Panchamrit” clean energy goals, promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Including nuclear power, the nation’s non-fossil fuel capacity has climbed to 211.36 GW, a sharp increase from 186.46 GW in 2023.

Solar and Wind Power Surge

The solar sector spearheaded this growth, expanding by 27.9 percent to reach 92.12 GW — up from 72.02 GW last year. This rapid growth places India’s total solar power capacity at 250.57 GW, including projects under construction or planning stages.

Wind power also showed steady growth with a 7.8 percent increase, raising its total installed capacity from 44.29 GW to 47.72 GW. The total capacity for wind projects in the pipeline stands at 72.35 GW.

“Over the past year, solar capacity has surged by an impressive 28 percent, and wind energy has seen a growth of almost 8 percent. This significant increase is a testament to our commitment to sustainable development and clean energy,” said NRE Minister Prahlad Joshi in a statement.

Accelerated Capacity Additions

From April to October 2024, India added 12.6 GW of renewable capacity, with 1.72 GW installed in October alone. This accelerated push toward renewable sources highlights India’s significant progress on green energy commitments.

The number of renewable projects under implementation or in the tender phase has also increased. By October 2024, 143.94 GW were under implementation, and 89.69 GW had been tendered, compared to 99.08 GW and 55.13 GW, respectively, the previous year.

These numbers indicate robust development across the renewable energy sector, underscoring the government’s strategy to achieve ambitious sustainability goals.

Hydro and Nuclear Contributions

Hydroelectric power contributed 46.93 GW to the renewable energy mix, while nuclear power accounted for 8.18 GW as of October 2024. These contributions add stability and diversity to India’s renewable portfolio, strengthening the nation’s energy resilience.

India’s relentless pursuit of renewable energy signals its commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and embracing a greener future. With these advancements, India continues to position itself as a global leader in transitioning to sustainable energy.

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