Solar Power Dominates in India’s RE Growth

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has recently reported substantial progress in the country's renewable energy sector as of July 31, 2024, in its latest physical achievements report in renewable energy sector.

As per the MNRE data, the RE expansion includes 1,188.92 MW from wind power and an impressive 5,394.37 MW from solar energy. The cumulative installed capacity for solar power has now reached a noteworthy 87.21 gigawatts (GW). This figure encompasses 67.52 GW from ground-mounted solar plants, 13.40 GW from grid-connected solar rooftops, 2.59 GW from hybrid projects, and 3.70 GW from off-grid solar installations. This broad spectrum of solar energy capacity highlights the diverse approaches taken to harness solar power across various applications and scales.

As of the end of July 2024, the overall achievements in the renewable energy sector showcase the scale and commitment of India's efforts. The wind power sector has accumulated a total capacity of 47,075.43 MW. Solar power has achieved a robust capacity of 87,207.97 MW. Additionally, small hydropower installations have contributed 5,036.75 MW, while biomass cogeneration from bagasse adds 9,433.56 MW to the grid. Contributions from other renewable sources, including biomass cogeneration (non-bagasse) and waste-to-energy, though present, are relatively modest. Waste-to-power installations, for example, have reached 249.74 MW, while waste-to-energy (off-grid) stands at 351.12 MW.

The distribution of renewable energy capacity reveals that solar power dominates the landscape, accounting for approximately more than 50 percent of the total installed capacity, followed by wind power. Together, solar and wind power constitute more than 80 percent of the total renewable energy capacity. Small hydropower and biomass (bagasse) cogeneration, while significant, contribute at much lower levels compared to solar and wind.

Waste-to-power and waste-to-energy (off-grid) have the smallest shares. This distribution underscores a clear emphasis on solar and wind technologies within India’s renewable energy sector. This focus is likely due to the scalability and decreasing costs associated with these technologies. The relatively modest contributions from other renewable sources indicate potential areas for future growth and diversification in the energy portfolio.