India rises to third place globally in renewable energy capacity

India has become the world’s third-largest country in terms of installed renewable energy capacity, overtaking Brazil, according to the latest Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 released by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced that the achievement underscores India’s accelerating transition towards clean energy and its commitment to global climate goals. The country’s total electricity generation during the 2025–2026 financial year reached 1,845.9 billion units, with non-fossil fuel sources contributing 538.97 billion units, or 29.2 per cent of the total.

According to ANI, a partner of TV BRICS, a significant milestone was reached in June 2025, when non-fossil fuel sources accounted for 50 per cent of India’s cumulative installed power capacity – five years ahead of the 2030 target.

Experts stated that India continues to pursue its long-term objective of achieving 500 gigawatts (GW) of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. This ambition aligns with the nation’s broader strategy to strengthen energy security, reduce carbon emissions and support sustainable economic growth.

The government is also advancing the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to position India as a global hub for the production and export of green hydrogen. By 2030, the initiative targets an annual production of at least five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen. The mission is expected to stimulate substantial investment, create more than 600,000 full-time jobs and contribute to the avoidance of approximately 50 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Additionally, it is projected to drive the installation of around 125 GW of new renewable energy capacity.

Wind energy remains a key pillar of India’s renewable expansion. During the 2025–2026 financial year, the country recorded its highest-ever annual wind capacity addition of 6.05 GW, representing a 46 per cent increase compared with the previous year. India’s cumulative installed wind power capacity has now surpassed 56 GW, placing it fourth globally in this segment.