According to the IRENA Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, India ranks behind China and the United States, in renewable energy capacity.
Status of Renewable Energy in India
- Total: 274.68 GW Renewable Energy (as of March 2026)
- Solar Energy: It leads with 150.26 GW installed capacity (53.28 times increase since 2014).
- Wind Energy: Second largest contributor, with over 56 GW capacity.
- Other: Large Hydro Power (51.41 GW)> Bioenergy (11.75 GW)> Nuclear Energy (8.78 GW)>Small Hydro Power (5.17 GW).
What makes India a leading Renewable Energy (RE) player?
- Major Sector-Specific Programs: E.g., National Solar Mission, PM KUSUM, National Green Hydrogen Mission, National Bioenergy Programme, and small hydro schemes.
- Financial and Tax Incentives: E.g., GST reduction on RE equipment, Basic Custom Duty exemptions, etc.
- Policy and Regulatory Reforms: E.g., Renewable Purchase Obligation framework, Virtual Power Purchase Agreements, and ease of doing business for solar energy.
- Infrastructure Support: E.g., Green Energy Corridor, wind site mapping, etc.
- Promoting Domestic Manufacturing & R&D: E.g., MNRE Quality Control Orders norms, skill development (e.g. Vayumitra program), etc.
- Other: Favorable Geography (e.g., vast wind corridors in states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat,), Decentralized Renewable Energy Initiatives, etc.
