India added about 30 GW (Gigawatt) of new renewable energy capacity last year, marking a 113 per cent increase compared to the 13.75 GW added in 2023, as reported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

With this expansion, India's total renewable energy capacity has reached 218 GW. The country has set an ambitious target of developing 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. To meet this target, India will need to install at least 50 GW of new renewable energy capacity annually over the next six years.

In a post on the social media platform 'X', New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi highlighted that the exponential growth from 13.75 GW in 2023 to approximately 30 GW in 2024, which has brought the total to nearly 218 GW, underscores India's growing commitment to clean energy and its progress toward building a greener future.

According to the ministry's data, India had a renewable energy capacity of 35.84 GW as of March 31, 2014. Since the financial year 2014-15, the highest renewable energy capacity addition recorded was 18.48 GW in 2023-24.

As per JMK Research, India installed 4.59 GW of new rooftop solar capacity in the calendar year 2024 (from January to December), a 53 per cent increase over 2023. This growth was primarily attributed to the PM Surya Ghar Free Bijli Yojana, which was launched earlier in the year. The scheme facilitated 7 lakh rooftop solar installations across the country in just 10 months.

The wind sector also saw an increase, with 3.4 GW of new capacity added in 2024, a 21 per cent rise compared to 2023. Notably, 98 per cent of the installed wind energy capacity in 2024 came from three states—Gujarat (1,250 MW), Karnataka (1,135 MW), and Tamil Nadu (980 MW).