{"id":97654,"date":"2026-04-10T17:47:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T12:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=97654"},"modified":"2026-04-10T17:47:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T12:17:59","slug":"india-ranks-third-globally-in-renewable-energy-installed-capacity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/india-ranks-third-globally-in-renewable-energy-installed-capacity\/","title":{"rendered":"India Ranks Third Globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has achieved a significant milestone in its energy transition journey by securing the third position globally in renewable energy installed capacity, according to Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>India\u2019s Renewable Energy Growth (FY 2025-26)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s renewable energy sector has witnessed unprecedented expansion in recent years, driven by strong policy support, large-scale investments, and rapid capacity additions. FY 2025-26 marks a historic phase in this transition, with record growth in non-fossil fuel capacity and increased integration of renewables into the national grid.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India achieved a total non-fossil fuel capacity addition of <\/span><b>55.3 GW<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>FY 2025-26<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, marking the highest annual increase ever recorded in the country\u2019s renewable energy history.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In July 2025, India recorded its highest-ever share of renewable energy in electricity generation, with renewables meeting 51.5% of total electricity demand of 203 GW.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As on 31 March 2026, India\u2019s total installed non-fossil fuel capacity stood at 283.46 GW.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In June 2025, India achieved a major milestone by reaching 50% of cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, accomplishing this target five years ahead of its 2030 NDC commitment under the Paris Agreement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In line with the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/prime-ministers-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Prime Minister\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> announcement at COP26, India is working towards achieving 500 GW of installed non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030, reinforcing long-term climate and energy goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of the total non-fossil capacity of 283.46 GW, renewable energy accounts for 274.68 GW, while nuclear power contributes 8.78 GW, indicating a diversified clean energy mix.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The renewable energy capacity of 274.68 GW includes:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Solar power: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">150.26 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Wind power: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">56.09 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Bioenergy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 11.75 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Small hydro power:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 5.17 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Large hydro power: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">51.41 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India now ranks 3rd globally in renewable energy installed capacity, according to IRENA Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 (data up to December 2025).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Global comparison of renewable energy installed capacity shows:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">China: 2258.02 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USA: 467.92 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India: 250.52 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brazil: 228.20 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Germany: 199.92 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan: 134.53 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada: 110.51 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World total: 5149.28 GW<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The non-fossil capacity addition of 55.29 GW in FY 2025-26 is the highest annual increase so far, significantly higher than 29.5 GW added in 2024-25.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within this expansion, renewable energy accounted for 44.61 GW of new capacity addition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) emerged as a key driver, contributing 16.3 GW (36%) of solar additions, including:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7.6 GW under <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/what-is-pm-kusum\/\" target=\"_blank\">PM-KUSUM scheme<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8.7 GW from rooftop solar installations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wind energy recorded a historic achievement with 6.05 GW of capacity addition in FY 2025-26, the highest ever in a single year, surpassing 4.15 GW added in the previous year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s renewable energy capacity has grown significantly over the last decade, increasing 3.59 times since 2014, from 76.38 GW (2014) to 274.68 GW (2026).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Solar energy has witnessed exponential growth, increasing 53.28 times since 2014, from 2.82 GW to 150.26 GW, making it the fastest-growing renewable source in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wind energy capacity has increased 2.66 times since 2014, from 21.04 GW to 56.09 GW.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manufacturing capacity has also expanded significantly:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wind turbine manufacturing capacity increased from 10 GW (2014) to ~24 GW (2026)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Solar module manufacturing capacity increased from 2.3 GW (2014) to ~172 GW (2026)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Key Policy Implemented by the Ministry of New &amp; Renewable Energy (MNRE) in FY 2025-26<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has strengthened its renewable energy transition in FY 2025-26 through a series of targeted policy interventions aimed at cost reduction, domestic manufacturing, grid efficiency, and regulatory clarity.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GST on renewable energy devices and components reduced from 12% to 5% (Sept 2025), lowering costs for developers, DISCOMs, and rooftop solar users.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic Customs Duty exemption extended on capital goods for lithium-ion cell manufacturing (Feb 2026-March 2028), boosting domestic battery production and reducing import dependence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renewable Energy Equipment Import Monitoring System (REEIMS) portal launched (Oct 2025) for real-time tracking of imports, enhancing transparency and compliance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revised Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) framework under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, integrating state RPO targets into a unified system.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CERC (Sharing of ISTS Charges and Losses) Fourth Amendment Regulations, 2025 introduced a waiver trajectory for RE and BESS projects, including extensions for force majeure delays.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CERC (Connectivity and General Network Access) Third Amendment Regulations, 2025 enabled non-solar hour connectivity to improve transmission network utilisation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guidelines for Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPA) issued, providing flexibility for designated consumers to meet RCO targets.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilot scheme for Contract for Difference (CfD) for 500 MW RE projects launched to ensure stable revenues while maintaining market-based pricing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Policy on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/geothermal-energy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Geothermal Energy<\/a><\/strong> (Sept 2025) introduced to promote exploration and commercial use of geothermal resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jaiv-Urja Mitra programme launched for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/skill-development\/\" target=\"_blank\">skill development<\/a><\/strong> across the biomass and compressed biogas value chain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revised Quality Control Order (QCO) 2025 issued for solar components, updating standards for PV modules, batteries, inverters, and efficiency benchmarks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>India ranks 3rd in global renewable energy capacity, reaching 283 GW non-fossil power with record growth in solar, wind and strong policy support driving transition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":97707,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[6773,4935,5102,6772],"class_list":{"0":"post-97654","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-current-affairs","9":"tag-geography","10":"tag-geography-notes","11":"tag-india-ranks-third-globally-in-renewable-energy-installed-capacity","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97654"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97654\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97659,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97654\/revisions\/97659"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}