environment

India hits 50% non-fossil fuel capacity five years early, targets 500 GW by 2030

Published on: 23 Jul 2026, 06:01 AM

India has achieved its target of having 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources five years ahead of the 2030 deadline, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power, Shripad Yesso Naik, told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

As of June 30, 2026, the country had installed 297.36 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity, of which 288.58 GW came from renewable energy sources. The minister was replying to a question by Cuddalore Member of Parliament M. Vishnu Prasad.

Solar power accounted for the largest share at 162.15 GW, followed by wind power at 57.44 GW, large hydro power at 52.06 GW, bio power at 11.75 GW, and small hydro power at 5.18 GW.

Mr. Naik said that India is on track to meet its target of 500 GW installed non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Renewable energy addition has accelerated significantly over the last five years, rising from 14,595.29 MW in 2021-22 to 54,591.75 MW in 2025-26.

He highlighted main challenges in expanding renewable energy, including land acquisition, transmission infrastructure, and grid integration. To address these, the government is working with states and union territories to identify suitable land, strengthen evacuation infrastructure under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme, and improve forecasting and grid management through Renewable Energy Management Centres.

To resolve Right of Way (RoW) challenges for transmission lines, the Ministry of Power has issued guidelines for compensation. Since land is a state subject, states and union territories have been advised to adopt these guidelines or issue their own modified versions.

Source: The Hindu

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