Earlier this year, India crossed a significant milestone in January by establishing a solar power capacity of over 100 gigawatts, preceding its 2024 achievement of 200 gigawatts of total renewable energy. These accomplishments indicate a massive shift as the country aims toward clean energy. India ranks fourth globally in renewable energy capacity, with almost 40% of its electricity generation coming from eco-friendly sources.
With over 1.4 billion people and an economy that’s industrializing fast, India is set to account for 35% of the world’s energy demand growth in the next 20 years. To meet the current challenge sustainably, the country has envisaged a bold target of ensuring 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Under the Paris Agreement-2015 Nationally Determined Contributions, India aims to reduce the carbon intensity of GDP by 45% and reach net-zero emissions by 2070.
The New Green Wave
Over the past ten years, India has rolled out a wave of green programs that have completely reshaped its energy landscape. From boosting big solar projects and rooftop panels to powering farms with clean energy, the country is taking an innovative, all-in approach to building a sustainable future.
To hit that 500-gigawatt goal by 2030, the government targets 50 gigawatts of bids annually through 2028. Agencies like the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) are making this possible with market-friendly policies and dropping tariffs, creating a welcoming space for investors. Further, schemes like PM-Surya Ghar, PM-KUSUM, and green hydrogen, bioenergy, and nuclear power missions facilitate energy access while reducing industry emissions. The push for a 30% increase in electric vehicle use with the FAME scheme by 2030 symbolizes the importance of green transportation to this vision.
Clean energy funding is now on an upward trajectory. Green bonds have attracted over $21 billion in investments, boosting investor confidence in sustainable finance.
As such efforts would say, India is already achieving its 40% non-fossil fuel electricity target in the Paris Agreement before the 2030 timeline.
Global Impact
India isn’t just leading at home—it’s helping others, too. It’s taken a front-row seat in the fight against climate change and the push for renewables worldwide. As a co-founder of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), now with over 120 member nations, India is spreading solar power globally. It’s also pitching billions to help poorer countries build clean energy systems.
Hurdles Ahead
Even with big dreams and solid progress, India’s clean energy shift isn’t without bumps. Finding land for projects is tough, and connecting all that power to the grid is getting trickier.
One fix for the land issue? Smarter planning. According to the Union Ministry of Rural Development’s Wasteland Atlas, about a fifth of India’s land is unused. These empty patches may be perfect for renewable projects, adding capacity without treading on the toes of farming or forestry.
Meanwhile, backing up renewables is a challenge to the steadiness of electricity grids. Matching supply and demand is hard, even when they set rules for forecasting and penalties. The daytime-only nature of solar generation does not help the problem. Resolving it requires speeding up investments in storage, including pumped hydro and battery systems, to firm up and add further flexibility to the grid.
Looking Forward
To date, India’s sustainable energy journey has been astounding. It will fuel bright energies for all other countries, especially the developing ones, in case such a shift occurs as India hits the mega target. This would kindle India’s green future and secure it in future advancement that fits India’s current situation. The stakes in terms of climate change would be high, as would the possible gain from making a change. The world now turns its eyes towards India, and India will not shy away.