India hits historic 500 GW power capacity as renewables top 50% share for first time

India’s power sector has achieved two major milestones, crossing the 500-gigawatt (GW) mark in total installed capacity and generating more than half of its electricity from renewable sources for the first time, the government said on Wednesday.

As of September 30, 2025, the country’s total installed electricity capacity stood at 500.89 GW, driven by strong policy support and sustained investments in clean energy, the Ministry of Power said in a statement.

Of this, non-fossil fuel-based capacity, including renewable, hydro, and nuclear energy, accounted for 256.09 GW, or over 51% of the total, while fossil-fuel-based sources contributed 244.80 GW, the ministry said.

Within the renewable segment, solar power capacity reached 127.33 GW and wind power stood at 53.12 GW, underscoring India’s rapid shift toward green energy.

During the first half of the current fiscal year (April–September 2025), India added 28 GW of non-fossil capacity compared with 5.1 GW of fossil-fuel capacity, further tilting the balance toward clean sources.

Record renewable generation day

The ministry said India achieved its highest-ever renewable energy generation on July 29, 2025, when green sources supplied 51.5% of the nation’s total electricity demand of 203 GW.

On that day, solar power generation was 44.50 GW, wind generation 29.89 GW, and hydropower 30.29 GW, marking the first time renewable sources met more than half of the country’s energy demand in a single day.

Targets met ahead of schedule

With this progress, India has met one of its COP26 ‘Panchamrit’ commitments — achieving 50% of installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 — five years ahead of schedule, the statement said.

“This achievement reflects years of strong policy support, investments, and teamwork across the energy sector,” the ministry added.

The government said the renewable energy expansion is creating employment opportunities in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and research, benefitting both rural and urban youth.

The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) congratulated all power generation companies, transmission utilities, system operators, and state agencies for their contribution to achieving this milestone.

“This success highlights India’s leadership in clean energy transition, achieved while keeping the electricity grid stable and reliable,” the release said.