India Inches Toward 50% Non-Fossil Fuel Energy Milestone This Year
India is on the verge of achieving a major green energy milestone, with renewable and other non-fossil fuel sources accounting for nearly half of the country’s total installed power capacity. According to senior energy experts, the 50% target—originally set for 2030—may be met as early as the end of this year. This development marks a pivotal moment in India’s transition to cleaner energy and strengthens its global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
India’s clean energy transition is accelerating faster than anticipated. As of May 2025, the country’s total installed power generation capacity stood at 475.59 GW, with non-fossil fuel sources contributing 235.53 GW—approximately 49.5% of the total. These include solar, wind, hydropower, nuclear, and biomass-based systems. Energy sector authorities attribute this growth to sustained investments in solar parks, wind corridors, and decentralised energy initiatives. The success also stems from progressive policy support, improved private-sector participation, and incentives such as viability gap funding and feed-in tariffs. Analysts point out that this near-50% milestone is particularly significant as it arrives five years ahead of India’s 2030 target under its enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). With this achievement, India is poised to lead among emerging economies in clean energy deployment. However, experts caution that to make this transition sustainable, there must be parallel expansion of storage infrastructure and integration of smart grid technologies.
Grid stability and energy storage are now emerging as the next frontier in India’s decarbonisation journey. While the growth in renewable capacity is impressive, experts say clean energy must be backed by robust systems that ensure 24/7 supply. Senior advisors from the clean energy sector have highlighted the role of utility-scale battery storage, pumped hydro systems, and green hydrogen as critical enablers. India’s peak demand fluctuations, seasonal power imbalances, and geographic diversity require tailored solutions to maintain reliability. Industry forums also emphasise the importance of manufacturing localisation and investment in R&D for energy storage. The ongoing India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) event, attended by delegates from over 20 countries, is being viewed as a critical platform for shaping these next steps. The country’s ability to blend renewable generation with advanced storage and digital control systems will determine how effectively it can transition from capacity building to delivery of uninterrupted clean energy for all.
India’s rapid progress toward a 50% non-fossil fuel power capacity target reflects not only policy intent but also ground-level execution. As this goal nears ahead of the original 2030 deadline, the focus now shifts to grid integration, reliability, and long-term energy storage solutions. Stakeholders across the energy spectrum agree that future resilience will depend on system flexibility, innovation in clean energy storage, and strategic infrastructure planning. With a balanced approach that blends generation with storage and smart grid expansion, India has the potential to set a global benchmark for green transition among developing economies.
