New Delhi Meets Non-Fossil Energy Target Five Years Before Deadline
New Delhi has reached a significant clean energy milestone by achieving 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of its 2030 target. The announcement marks a pivotal moment in India’s transition towards sustainable power, with authorities confirming that over 242 GW of the country’s current 484 GW capacity now comes from renewable, large hydro, and nuclear sources. This early success not only reflects India’s policy ambition but also highlights the country’s role in shaping a low-carbon future in the global south.
This achievement, though national in scope, is being seen as a direct result of city-focused programmes and central schemes that support decentralised, clean energy generation. Flagship initiatives like solar rooftop adoption in urban households, hybrid wind-solar projects, and subsidised access through targeted schemes have collectively helped accelerate the clean energy transition. Officials suggest that this performance has had a ripple effect across sectors—reducing urban air pollution, expanding renewable energy jobs, and bringing decentralised power to underserved communities, including those in informal settlements and peri-urban zones. India’s current energy mix includes just under 50% capacity from fossil fuels, a near balance that few developing nations have managed to achieve. This balancing act is made more remarkable by India’s relatively low per capita energy consumption and emissions.
Experts argue that India’s clean energy journey demonstrates how strategic investment in policy design and equitable access can yield measurable environmental and socio-economic benefits, even amid rapid urbanisation and industrial expansion. For cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, where power demand is surging, this shift signals a path toward grid stability without climate compromise. The challenge ahead lies in ensuring quality, equity, and resilience in the next phase of India’s energy transition. With a goal of installing 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, experts stress the importance of scaling urban microgrids, incentivising commercial rooftop solar, and supporting innovation in battery storage. Energy planners are now prioritising access that is not only clean but also reliable and affordable, especially in dense urban clusters and vulnerable climate zones. Future efforts will likely hinge on deepening local government participation in energy planning to match regional demand profiles.
India’s early success in meeting this global climate target is a signal of its growing commitment to equitable and sustainable urban development. While further gains will require significant investment and adaptive governance, the country has proven that clean energy transformation is not a distant goal but a present reality. As new Nationally Determined Contributions are due in 2025, this momentum offers hope that India can lead by example—ensuring energy justice while keeping climate pledges at the heart of urban growth.
