India Emerges as the 3rd Largest Wind and Solar Power Generator

GS III-Energy

The Global Electricity Review 2025 by Ember reveals that India surpassed Germany in 2024, becoming the world’s third-largest producer of electricity from wind and solar sources.

Global Renewable Energy Trends (2024)

• Unprecedented Growth: Global renewable electricity generation rose by 858 TWh in 2024, a 49% increase over the previous record in 2022.
• Solar Leads for the Third Year: Solar power remained the leading contributor among new sources of electricity, marking its fastest expansion in two decades.
• Doubling of Solar’s Share: Solar energy accounted for 6.9% of global electricity, having doubled its share over the last three years.
• Low-Carbon Electricity Milestone: Renewables and nuclear together generated 40.9% of the world’s electricity, the highest level since the 1940s.
• Wind and Solar Combined: These two sources contributed 15% to global electricity generation.

India’s Clean Energy Performance

• Clean Energy Contribution: In 2024, 22% of India’s electricity came from non-fossil fuel sources — with 8% from hydropower and 10% from wind and solar combined.
• Surge in Solar Power:
  • Solar alone provided 7% of the nation’s electricity, doubling its share since 2021.
  • India installed 24 GW of solar capacity in 2024 — more than twice the addition in 2023.
• Global Rankings:
  • India became the third-largest solar power market, following China and the United States.
  • It ranked fourth globally in terms of growth in solar generation, contributing an additional 20 TWh in 2024.

India’s Renewable Energy Commitments

• 50% Non-Fossil Capacity by 2030: As per India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC (2022).
• 500 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity Target by 2030: Though not part of official NDCs, this target announced in 2021 guides national planning and has been incorporated into energy blueprints like the 14th National Electricity Plan.

Key Challenges

• Financing Deficit: Achieving the 500 GW target by 2030 demands a 20% annual increase in clean energy funding. Without this, India may miss its long-term goals.
• Mismatch Between Demand and Green Supply: The pace of electricity demand growth must be matched by clean energy deployment to ensure sustainable development.

Significance of India’s Solar Growth

• Pillar of Energy Transition: Solar energy, especially when paired with battery storage, is crucial to decarbonising India’s power sector.
• Regional & Strategic Implications: Expansion of clean power bolsters energy security, promotes resilience, and positions India as a clean energy leader among emerging economies.
• Economic Catalyst: The UN Climate Chief hailed India as a “solar superpower“, linking the solar boom to job creation, industrial growth, and broader economic development.