The country added a record 22 GW of renewable energy capacity in the first half of 2025, a 57% increase from the 14.2 GW in the same period last year. Solar led with 18.4 GW, followed by 3.5 GW of wind and 250 MW of bioenergy.
India is nearing its goal of 50% clean energy by 2030, with 234 GW installed, including hydropower. However, fossil fuels still dominate electricity generation, accounting for 75% in the first half of 2025. New nuclear projects are underway, with Unit 7 of Rajasthan’s atomic power project commissioned and the first small modular reactor approved in Bihar. Coal remains a key source, with plans to add 80 GW of new thermal capacity.
While India’s renewable energy capacity more than doubled in the first half of the year, battery energy storage systems (BESS) also saw a significant uptick, with 5.4 GW of collocated solar-BESS and 2.2 GW of standalone BESS awarded to developers, marking the country’s highest BESS allocation to date. The strong participation across auctions reflects a growing emphasis on grid stability and renewable integration, with Rystad Energy projecting accelerated growth in the sector over the coming years.
India’s western states remain at the forefront of the country’s renewable energy rollout. Rajasthan leads with 37.4 GW of installed capacity, driven by 32 GW of solar and 5.2 GW of onshore wind, supported by high solar irradiance and vast desert terrain. Gujarat follows with 35.5 GW, including 21.5 GW of solar and 13.8 GW of wind. Tamil Nadu ranks third, with 11.8 GW of wind and 10.6 GW of solar and is also a top performer in bioenergy, contributing 1 GW of the national total of 11.6 GW. Onshore wind also features prominently in several other states, including Karnataka (7.7 GW), Maharashtra (5.3 GW), Andhra Pradesh (4.4 GW) and Madhya Pradesh (3.2 GW).
India installed 22 GW of renewable energy capacity in the first half of 2025, a new record. However, the country is still banking heavily on coal to meet growing power demand, with plans to install an additional 80 GW of new thermal projects. India is not yet undergoing a true energy transition; instead, it is focusing on building up installed capacity from both conventional and renewable energy sources to ensure energy security.
/Rystad Energy/