India’s Renewable Energy: 2024 in Review, 2025 and Beyond

2024 Achievements:

1. Total Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity:
   • Reached 217.62 GW as of 20th Jan 2025.
2. Solar Energy Growth:
   • Record addition of 24.5 GW in 2024.
   • Utility-scale solar installations: 18.5 GW (2.8x increase from 2023).
   • Top-performing states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu (71% of total utility-scale installations).
   • Rooftop solar growth: 4.59 GW (53% increase from 2023).
     • PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana contributed to 7 lakh rooftop installations in 10 months.
   • Off-grid solar segment: 1.48 GW added (182% increase).
3. Wind Energy Growth:
   • 3.4 GW of new capacity added in 2024 (21% increase from 2023).
   • Leading states: Gujarat (1,250 MW), Karnataka (1,135 MW), and Tamil Nadu (980 MW).
   • These states contributed 98% of the new capacity additions.

Policy and Infrastructure Advancements:

1. Green Hydrogen Push:
   • Development of green hydrogen policies to lower costs and attract investments.
2. Manufacturing Expansion:
   • Domestic production of solar PV and wind turbines scaled up.
   • Strengthening India’s position as a global RE manufacturing hub.
3. Grid Infrastructure Development:
   • Proposed investments in inter-state transmission systems.
   • Focus on evacuating power from renewable-rich states (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh).

Initiatives to Increase Domestic Production and Utilisation of Solar PV Products:

1. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:
   • Objective: Achieve GW-scale manufacturing capacity in high-efficiency solar PV modules.
   • Outlay: ₹24,000 crore.
   • Tranche-I: ₹4,500 crore, 8,737 MW units.
   • Tranche-II: ₹19,500 crore, 39,600 MW units.
2. Domestic Content Requirement (DCR):
   • Applicable under schemes like CPSU Scheme Phase-II, PM-KUSUM Components B & C, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
   • Mandate: Source PV cells/modules domestically.
3. Preference to ‘Make in India’ in Public Procurement:
   • DPIIT’s ‘Public Procurement Order.’
   • Purchase preference linked to local content for the renewable energy sector.
   • Only “Class-I local supplier” eligible.
   • Minimum local content: 50%.
4. Imposition of Basic Customs Duty (BCD):
   • Effective Date: 01.04.2022.
   • BCD imposed on the import of solar PV cells and modules.
5. Discontinuation of Customs Duty Concessions:
   • Effective Date: 02.02.2021.
   • Stopped issuance of Customs Duty Concession Certificates for initial solar PV project setups.
6. Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RE-RTD):
   • Objective: Develop indigenous renewable energy technologies.Support:
     • Up to 100% for government/non-profit research.
     • Up to 70% for industry, startups, private institutes.
   • Areas: Solar PV, biogas, waste-to-energy, wind, hybrid, storage, hydrogen, fuel cells, geothermal.

2025 Roadmap:

1. Ambitious Targets:
   • Commitment to 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030.
2. Key Focus Areas:
   • Addressing regulatory, financial, and infrastructural challenges.
   • Continued policy support and increased investments.
   • Adoption of emerging technologies to enhance efficiency and scalability.

India’s renewable energy sector is undergoing a transformative phase, marked by record capacity additions in 2024 and robust policy initiatives. With strategic advancements and a focus on innovation, the country is poised to achieve its renewable energy targets and establish itself as a global leader in the clean energy transition.

Reference : PIB