India Achieves Record Renewable Energy Capacity Additions of 25 GW in FY25, Says Pralhad Joshi

India has achieved a record-breaking addition of 25 gigawatts (GW) in renewable energy capacity for the fiscal year 2025, marking a 35% increase compared to the previous year. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi highlighted this achievement, noting that in the 2023-24 fiscal year, the country added 18.57 GW of renewable energy capacity. This growth underscores India's commitment to sustainable energy development.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his enthusiasm on X, stating, "A great development, illustrating the commitment of our people towards sustainability!" As of February 28, 2025, India's total non-fossil fuel-based capacity reached 214.677 GW, according to official data. This milestone reflects the nation's ongoing efforts to transition towards cleaner energy sources.

Renewable Energy Growth and Solar Expansion

Solar energy has been a significant driver of India's renewable energy expansion. The country's solar capacity surged from 15 GW to nearly 21 GW in FY25, representing an impressive growth rate of approximately 38%. Notably, India surpassed the 100 GW mark in solar capacity this year under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

The solar module manufacturing sector also witnessed substantial growth. Capacity nearly doubled from around 38 GW in March 2024 to approximately 74 GW by March 2025. Additionally, cell manufacturing capacity tripled from 9 GW to about 25 GW during the same period.

Bio CNG and Transportation Sector Initiatives

The government is taking significant steps to decarbonise transportation and domestic households by mandating the introduction of Bio CNG. Starting April 1, 2025, there will be a blending obligation of 1% for compressed biogas with compressed natural gas (CNG) for transportation and piped natural gas (PNG) for households. The target is to increase this blending up to 5% by FY29.

In another pioneering move, India's first ingot-wafer manufacturing facility with a capacity of around 2 GW began production in FY 2024-25. Projects awarded under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules have attracted investments of approximately Rs 41,000 crore and created direct employment for around 11,650 individuals as of February 2025.

Progress in PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has made remarkable progress in its first year. Over 11.01 lakh households benefited from the scheme by March 31, 2025. Central Financial Assistance (CFA) amounting to Rs 5,437.20 crore was disbursed to approximately 6.98 lakh beneficiaries under this initiative.

On the topic of unsigned Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Minister Joshi mentioned that various steps are being taken to address this issue without providing specific numbers. Industry sources estimate that around 40-50 GW of renewable energy capacity still awaits PPA signings.

Negotiations over the India-US bilateral trade agreement are ongoing. Joshi stated that feedback has been provided to relevant departments as discussions continue. These negotiations are crucial for strengthening trade relations between the two nations.

The country's journey in renewable energy continues to be driven by solar advancements and strategic initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions across sectors. These efforts highlight India's dedication to achieving its sustainability goals while fostering economic growth through clean energy investments.