In September, India achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the 200 gigawatt (GW) mark in renewable energy (RE) production, driven primarily by solar and wind energy.

According to the latest data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the total electricity generation capacity based on renewable energy sources—including small and large hydro, biomass, co-generation, and waste-to-energy—exceeded 200 GW during the month. The total RE production reached 201,457.91 megawatts (MW), with solar contributing 90,762 MW and wind energy contributing 47,363 MW.

The share of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity in the country now constitutes 46.3 per cent of the total installed electricity generation capacity. The top four states leading in renewable energy capacity are Rajasthan (31.5 GW), Gujarat (28.3 GW), Tamil Nadu (23.7 GW), and Karnataka (22.3 GW).

The government noted an impressive 86 per cent increase in renewable energy power generation since 2014, rising from 193.5 billion units (BU) to 360 BU.

Last week, the Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, remarked that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has experienced a transformative increase in its renewable energy capacity since 2014, with a 175 per cent rise from 75 GW to over 200 GW.

Furthermore, India is making notable advancements in the green shipping sector, aiming to rank among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and the top five by 2047.

Remarkably, India is the only G20 country to have met its climate targets ahead of schedule, despite having the lowest per capita emissions among G20 nations. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), India had a cumulative installed wind power capacity of 44.7 GW in 2023, ranking fourth globally. The country added 2.8 GW of wind capacity in 2023, indicating a significant increase after five years of slower growth.