Non-fossil power hits 50% of India’s installed capacity; ₹4 lakh crore saved in 2024: Joshi

New Delhi: New Delhi: India’s renewable energy capacity has exceeded 245 GW, comprising 116 GW of solar and 52 GW of wind power, Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said, highlighting the government’s strategic push for clean energy transition. He stated that over 50 per cent of the country’s installed power capacity now comes from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) deadline.Addressing the Mercom India Renewables Summit in the national capital, the minister outlined five key government priorities—strengthened power purchase agreements (PPAs), robust grid and storage infrastructure, domestic manufacturing, land-use optimisation, and improved access to finance.According to Joshi, these reforms are aligned with India’s 2030 target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity. Citing a recent International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report, he said that India saved nearly ₹4 lakh crore in 2024 through reduced fossil fuel imports and health-related costs, which includes $14.9 billion in fossil fuel savings, 410.9 million tonnes of CO₂ avoided, and $31.7 billion worth of air pollution and health-related benefits.

Rooftop solar, BESS and green hydrogen push

The Minister said that the government’s rooftop solar initiative, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, has received over 58.7 lakh applications and led to 17.2 lakh installations so far. In parallel, a ₹5,400 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme has been launched for 30 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), projected to attract ₹33,000 crore in investments.He informed that a comprehensive transmission plan has been drawn up in coordination with the Ministry of Power, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), and POWERGRID for evacuating 500 GW of non-fossil power by 2030.

PLI, ALMM and land-use reforms

To boost domestic manufacturing, Joshi said that the ₹24,000 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is promoting Aatmanirbharta in solar and wind manufacturing. He also announced the expansion of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), with List-II for solar PV cells set to be implemented from June 2026.The Ministry is encouraging innovation in land utilisation by supporting floating solar, canal-top solar, agrivoltaic installations, and deployment in tribal and remote areas. MSMEs and startups are being supported to scale clean energy innovations.

Green hydrogen mission rollout

Joshi said the National Green Hydrogen Mission is progressing with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore. So far, 3,000 MW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity has been allocated and over 8.6 lakh tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production approved.

The minister said the sector continues to benefit from enabling policy initiatives to support its long-term sustainability.