India has quietly achieved what seemed impossible just a decade ago—producing one-third of its electricity from sources that don’t burn fossil fuels. Whilst the world debates climate action, India is simply getting on with it. Between April and September 2025, wind turbines spun, solar panels gleamed, rivers powered turbines, and nuclear reactors hummed, collectively delivering 301.3 billion units of clean electricity out of 962.53 billion total units generated. This isn’t merely a statistic buried in government reports; it represents a fundamental rewiring of how the world’s most populous nation powers itself. For a country long synonymous with coal-fired growth, this transformation signals something profound: India is proving that economic development and environmental responsibility needn’t be adversaries.
A Surge in Clean Generation
The numbers tell a compelling story of momentum. Non-fossil generation jumped from 258.26 billion units in the previous year’s corresponding period, marking an increase that outpaces most developed nations. Wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear energy combined now supply 31.3% of the country’s total power output, a threshold that seemed distant when India first pledged its climate commitments. Large hydropower installations posted a robust 13.2% gain, whilst other renewables surged by an impressive 23.4%, reflecting the country’s decisive pivot towards cleaner technology solutions. These aren’t incremental improvements—they’re the hallmarks of a nation in the midst of an energy revolution.
Five states have emerged as the vanguards of this clean energy transition, shouldering the bulk of non-fossil electricity generation. Gujarat leads the charge with an astounding 36.19 billion units of renewable energy generated in just half a year, closely followed by Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. These regional powerhouses aren’t simply benefiting from favourable geography; they’ve implemented aggressive policy frameworks that attract investment and streamline project approvals. Renewable capacity across India has now reached nearly 200 gigawatts, with solar installations accounting for 127 gigawatts and wind contributing 53 gigawatts as of September 2025. The scale of this build-out rivals anything witnessed globally, creating thousands of manufacturing and maintenance positions whilst fundamentally altering local economies.
State Leaders and National Programmes Accelerate Progress
By June 2025, India achieved a milestone that stunned international observers: over half of its installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil sources. This accomplishment arrived five years ahead of the country’s 2030 climate pledge, demonstrating that ambitious targets can be met with political will and coordinated action. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reports total installed power capacity at 484.8 gigawatts, with 242.8 gigawatts derived from non-fossil fuel technologies. The mix includes substantial renewable energy capacity of 184.62 gigawatts, large hydropower at 49.38 gigawatts, and nuclear energy contributing 8.78 gigawatts.
Driving this transformation are innovative national programmes that address specific sectoral needs. The PM-KUSUM scheme brings solar-powered pumps to agricultural communities, reducing diesel dependence whilst improving farmer incomes. Large-scale solar parks dot the landscape from Rajasthan’s deserts to Karnataka’s plains, harnessing abundant sunshine that previously went untapped. The PM Surya Ghar programme aggressively promotes rooftop solar installations, turning millions of homes into mini power stations. Manufacturing incentives for solar modules and wind turbines have created domestic supply chains, reducing import dependence whilst generating employment. According to a Ministry spokesperson, “It’s not just a milestone—it’s a giant stride towards a greener, cleaner Bharat by 2047.”
Challenges Remain on the Path to 2030
Yet challenges persist beneath these impressive figures. Coal still dominates, accounting for nearly 70% of India’s total power mix in 2025. Transmission constraints limit how effectively renewable energy can flow from generation-rich regions to consumption centres. Financing hurdles slow project development, particularly for smaller developers lacking access to patient capital. The inherent variability of wind and solar output demands sophisticated grid management and energy storage solutions that are still being developed. Nuclear energy, whilst strategic for baseload power, experienced a slight 3.7% year-on-year decrease, highlighting the complexity of maintaining existing facilities whilst planning new ones.
Nevertheless, with over 250 gigawatts of non-fossil capacity already installed, India stands halfway to its 2030 ambition of 500 gigawatts. The government continues implementing reforms such as open access to green energy and new incentive schemes designed to boost investor confidence and accelerate project completion rates. The Central Electricity Authority projects that the share of non-fossil generation will increase steadily as new projects come online and more states intensify their efforts. India’s progress not only outpaces many global peers but offers a viable model for developing economies seeking sustainable growth. The mix of renewables, hydro, and nuclear strengthens India’s leadership in the global clean energy sphere, proving that the transition from fossil fuels isn’t just environmentally necessary—it’s economically achievable.