New Delhi: While the world worries about global warming, India has achieved its ambitious climate target of having 50 per cent of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil-based sources five years ahead of schedule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.
Addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day, he said, “When the world today worries about global warming, India has decided that by 2030, we will increase the contribution of clean energy (to cumulative installed power capacity) to 50 per cent in the country.
“Look at the capability and determination of my fellow citizens that the goal we had set for 2030, we achieved in 2025 itself, five years ahead of schedule… We are just as sensitive towards the world as we are responsible towards nature.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reshared Mr Joshi’s post, adding, “This illustrates India’s commitment and efforts towards building a green and sustainable future.”
The BJP also celebrated the achievement on X, sharing a video that highlighted India’s progress and recalled PM Modi’s pledge at the COP26 summit in 2021. The PM had pledged to meet 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030, cut projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes, reduce carbon intensity by 45 per cent from 2005 levels, and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
“India’s commitment to clean energy shines bright! India hits green energy goal EARLY!” the party wrote on X.
In the first half of 2025, India’s renewable power generation surged rapidly, the fastest since 2022, while coal-fired generation dipped nearly 3 per cent. The country added nearly 28 GW of solar and wind power in 2024 and 16.3 GW more between January and May this year.
As of June-end, excluding large hydro, renewable energy accounted for about 184.6 GW.
India missed its earlier 2022 target of 175 GW renewable capacity but has since accelerated efforts. The current target is 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Despite progress, fossil fuels still contributed to over two-thirds of the increase in power demand last year. India plans to expand coal-fired capacity by 80 GW by 2032 to meet growing consumption needs.
A report from global think-tank IEEFA noted that the evening peak demand is still heavily reliant on coal. It recommended expanding energy storage and demand-side management to reduce emissions and price volatility.
India’s clean energy strategy now extends beyond just solar and wind to include nuclear, large hydropower, green hydrogen, battery storage, and emerging technologies.
