A historic milestone has been achieved by India in its renewable energy sector for the financial year 2024-25. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a significant stride towards a sustainable energy future has been made, with the addition of an unprecedented 25 GW of renewable energy capacity. This represents an increase of approximately 35% compared to the 18.57 GW added in the previous year.
Solar Power Sector Leads the Charge
The growth in renewable energy was primarily driven by India’s solar power sector. A remarkable surge in capacity additions from 15 GW in FY24 to nearly 21 GW in FY25 was observed, marking an impressive 38% increase. A significant milestone of surpassing 100 GW of installed solar capacity was also achieved by the country this year. This substantial growth highlights solar energy’s pivotal role in India’s renewable energy landscape.
Boost to Domestic Solar Manufacturing
A strong emphasis has been placed on achieving Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in solar manufacturing. India’s solar module manufacturing capacity nearly doubled, increasing from 38 GW in March 2024 to 74 GW in March 2025. Similarly, solar PV cell manufacturing capacity tripled from 9 GW to 25 GW. The commencement of production at the country’s first ingot-wafer manufacturing facility (2 GW) in FY25 further strengthens the domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules has played a crucial role in attracting investments worth ₹41,000 crore, resulting in the creation of approximately 11,650 direct jobs.
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Empowering Households
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has demonstrated significant progress, benefiting over 11.01 lakh households by March 31, 2025. A substantial amount of ₹5,437.20 crore has been disbursed as Central Financial Assistance to 6.98 lakh beneficiaries under the scheme, significantly boosting the adoption of rooftop solar. This initiative is playing a vital role in promoting sustainable energy solutions at the grassroots level.
Green Hydrogen Sector Gaining Traction
India’s Green Hydrogen sector has experienced notable developments. Incentives worth ₹2,220 crore were awarded for 1,500 MW per annum of electrolyser manufacturing, while an additional ₹2,239 crore was allocated for 4,50,000 tons-per-annum (TPA) of Green Hydrogen production.
Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, funding of ₹454 crore has been provided for seven pilot projects focused on decarbonizing the steel sector. Furthermore, five pilot projects in the transport sector, with ₹208 crore in funding, will introduce 37 hydrogen-fueled vehicles and nine hydrogen refueling stations. These initiatives signal India’s commitment to exploring and embracing green hydrogen as a clean energy source.
Record Progress Under PM-KUSUM Scheme
The PM KUSUM Scheme has achieved remarkable progress.
> Component B: 4.4 lakh pumps were installed in FY25, representing a 4.2-fold increase compared to the previous year.
> Component C: 2.6 lakh pumps were solarized, which is 25 times more than in FY24.
The total number of solar pumps installed/solarized under the scheme has now exceeded 10 lakh. Financial expenditure for PM-KUSUM surged to ₹2,680 crore, a 268% increase from the previous year. This scheme is playing a crucial role in promoting solar energy adoption in the agricultural sector.
IREDA’s Role in Financing Clean Energy Projects
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) continues to be instrumental in financing clean energy projects. In FY25, IREDA witnessed a 27% increase in loan sanctions, reaching ₹47,453 crore, while loan disbursements rose by 20% to ₹30,168 crore. IREDA’s financial support is vital for driving the growth and development of renewable energy projects across the country.
Government’s Vision for a Sustainable Future
Shri Prahlad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, stated in Parliament on on 1st April 2025 that India may have already become or will soon become the third-largest renewable energy capacity holder in the world. This achievement reflects Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a sustainable and self-reliant energy future.
These significant achievements underscore India’s dedication to its clean energy transition and its position as a leader in the global renewable energy sector. Further policy support, technological advancements, and investment will be crucial in sustaining this momentum and achieving even greater milestones in the years to come. (PIB: 2117501)